Ananova :

The Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels have signed a permanent ceasefire.

The government says the agreement will take effect on Saturday.

It has been signed by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and separatist rebels.

Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Tamil Tigers leader were in the government-held northern town of Vavuniya to sign the agreement.

The two sides have committed to international monitors' hope for spring talks, says Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen who helped negotiate the deal.

The Norwegian government has tried for more than two years to start peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

The 18-year separatist war on the island nation has cost about 65,000 lives.

"The overall objective of the parties is to find a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka," Mr Petersen said.

"The ceasefire will pave the way with further steps toward negotiations."

Story filed: 10:15 Friday 22nd February 2002

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