The LTTE's latest attempt to call for a truce and pleading for a ceasefire to the UN at a time when the outfit is all but defeated militarily is hilarious, said Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella.

"The LTTE has written a letter to the United Nations, Britain, Japan, Norway and the United States indicating it's readiness to agree to a ceasefire with the Government while at the same time refusing to lay down arms and surrender," he said.

In this letter, LTTE Political Wing head P. Nadesan wrote mentioning that they are ready to discuss, cooperate and work together in all their efforts to bring an immediate ceasefire and work towards a political settlement.

Minister Rambukwella referring to the letter sent by the LTTE to the United Nations calling for a Ceasefire agreement with the Government, said Nadesan in the first place has to understand what a ceasefire is. "It's hilarious.

The country and the world are quite aware of the nature of the LTTE. It is a ploy used by the LTTE over two decades when it is about to be militarily defeated. Every time the LTTE is on the verge of defeat militarily and losing weapons and equipment, then it calls a truce," Minister Rambukwella said.

He reiterated that the LTTE by breaching the CFA brought calamity to the country and the people. Peace talks were held with the outfit on several occasions by leaders but the LTTE violated all these agreements and brought about destruction.

Minister Rambukwella said history is witness to the nature of the LTTE. "Indo-Lanka peace accord by late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the 13th Amendment called for the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.

What they did was laying down arms and going back to the jungle to fight again against the Security Forces," he said adding that they also assassinated Rajiv Gandhi. It has been the modus operandi of the LTTE to pressurize the international community and cease the current humanitarian operation to liberate trapped civilians.

The LTTE is taking shelter under civilians "The international community has fully acknowledged the nature of the LTTE, though they should pressurize the LTTE to surrender and release civilians," he added.

He said a careful strategy was drawn up by the President to eradicate terrorism and this was promoted by the entire nation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Commander in Chief, together with the Government was pursuing a policy to eradicate terrorism.

The Minister said the people were strongly behind this policy. "This was also manifest in recent election results," he added.

Minister Rambukwella calling the LTTE to surrender, urged them to release all civilians held in captivity by it. "We call on the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender.

There will be no ceasefire until terrorism is defeated.
Therefore, calling for a ceasefire at this juncture is hilarious," he added.