2-day ceasefire could become permanent if LTTE cooperates: PC

Terming the two-day ceasefire declared by Sri Lankan Government in the country's embattled north as an "important success of India's foreign policy", Union home minister P Chidambaram on Monday said the truce could become permanent if LTTE too reciprocated.

India wanted the ceasefire, which came into effect on Monday coinciding with Sinhala and Tamil new year, to be extended and would continue to press Colombo to agree for it, he said in a statement here from the camp office in his Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency.

However, LTTE should also heed India's advice to ensure that efforts for a permanent ceasefire fructified, he said.

"Though the ceasefire is a small progress, it can be seen as an important success of India's foreign policy as the Sri Lankan government had announced it following our constant pressure for a ceasefire," he said.

"Ceasefire can be implemented only if both the sides agreed. Hence, the LTTE should accept the truce offer made by the Sri Lankan Government and immediately announce that it was halting the war," he said.

Saying that all peace-loving people would welcome the truce offer, Chidambaram called for support of all in India's efforts to ensure that the ceasefire did not end in two days.