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The LTTE terrorists wounded one soldier in a grenade attack in Jaffna on Monday despite their declaration of a unilateral monthlong cease-fire as a goodwill gesture for Christmas. The terrorists had thrown a grenade at troops in the Kaitadi area breaking their announcement of a ceasefire that was propagated worldwide due to the increase of international pressure. "Within the first four or five hours of their own ceasefire, they have attacked a soldier," Military spokesman Brigadier Karunaratane said. Meanwhile, the army has announced that it was holding fire as a sign of respect for the religious occasion despite LTTE's violation of it's own truce. British Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain welcomed the LTTE announcement on Thursday and stated that he hope the Sri Lankan Government will follow suit and seize the opportunity offered by this initiative. But he also stated, "I hope that this will be a genuine ceasefire and one that will be maintained". The LTTE office in London issuing a press release on 25 December stated: "We have decided to observe cease-fire during this festive month sacred to Christians, Hindus and Muslims to provide another opportunity for peace irrespective of the government's intransigent attitude". But political analysts refering to the statement suspected LTTE's sudden change of heart recalling the attack on sacred and holy religious places of Sri Lankan Buddhists such as the Sri Maha Bodiya in Anuradhapura, Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and attacks such as the bomb blast near Galadari Hotel in Colombo on a full moon poya day. "Majority of the Sri Lankans are Buddhists. When the LTTE has attacked the places held sacred by Buddhists, what reason do they have to take a sudden respect on other religions all of a sudden," they questioned. "There is always something behind an offer of goodwill behind the LTTE. The past has evidence to prove this. The LTTE always strengthen their cadres with new weapons and defences, recruit and train their troops during their own 'ceasefires' which they give immense propaganda internationally".
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