Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion.

The Security Forces will continue their attempts to rescue civilians who are held hostage by the LTTE and give foremost priority to saving civilians.

Following is the statement by the Government on the Security situation issued by the Presidential Secretariat today:

Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion. Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian causalities.

Our security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving civilians.

April 27, 2009