Minister says LTTE should lay down arms before any talks

Cabinet Minister and Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the BBC that the Tigers were facing defeat, and negotiations would only take place if they laid down their arms for good.

The rebels said they would be forced to take 'defensive action' if they were attacked during the ceasefire.

The LTTE on Monday issued a unilateral ceasefire during the forthcoming SAARC summit which will be held in Colombo next week.

Indian influence

The LTTE statment said: "On behalf of the people of Tamil Eelam, we extend our sincere good wishes to the fifteenth conference of SAARC that aims, to improve the economic development of the vast South Asian region and to create a new world order based on justice, equality and peace".

	LTTE announced a unilateral ceasefire for the SAARC summit

Some anaylists say India had influenced the rebels to avoid confrontation during the summit for which Indian Prime Minister is due to take part.

The Tamil Tigers were found guilty of assasinating former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghadhi in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

They also express friendship to the outside world. "We are always keen to develop friendship with the countries of the world and our neighbouring countries in our region. We are sincere in our efforts to create the external conditions in order to build these friendships. We wish to express the good will and trust of the Tamil people".

Extending goodwill to Sri Lanka

The stateman say the Tamil Tigers are declaring the ceasefire for the duration of the summit. "As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from 26th July to 4th August and give our cooperation for the success of the conference".

As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions Tamil Tigers

However they do not rule out defensive action, "At the same time if the occupying Sinhala forces, disrespecting our goodwill gesture of our people and our nation, carry out any offensives, our movement will be forced to take defensive actions".

At the same time the LTTE extends goodwill to all member nations including Sri Lanka. "We wish for the success of the SAARC conference and we also extend our goodwill and support to the countries of our region, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives".

There were huge security operations launched by Srilankan authorities who feared attacks by the Tamil Tigers during the forthcoming summit.