The truce has been in effect for almost five years. The accord was brokered by the country of Norway. However, the truce became redundant due to violence that has continued to escalate. Since the middle of 2006, there have been clashes between troops and the rebels.
While the government announced an end to the truce, the Tamil Tigers did not respond yet. The group has been fighting for independence for the Tamils in both north and east Sri Lanka.
“The Cease Fire Agreement [CFA] had been violated nearly 10,000 times by the Tamil Tigers, so we should annul this agreement,” said Keheliya Rambukwella, spokesman for the cabinet on security matters.
He added that the end of the truce is not a declaration of war against the Tamil Tigers. This would be done in a way that would not breach the conditions of the cease fire agreement.
In the recent week, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Defense Secretary of Sri Lanka had called the truce a joke.
While both sides agree with what the defense secretary has said, correspondents explain that neither side wants to be the first to formally end the truce.
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