Colombo Sri Lankan security forces began a two-day ceasefire yesterday, as the government called for the Tamil Tiger rebels to allow trapped civilians to flee the conflict zone.

The United Nations estimates that 100,000 people are packed into the small strip of coastline in the northeast that is the last remaining territory held by the rebel fighters, who have been pushed close to defeat.

Troops halted their offensive on the orders of President Mahinda Rajapakse to mark the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said.

"We are not conducting any offensive operations," Nanayakkara said, adding that the troops had not retaliated after one Sri Lankan soldier was killed by a Tiger sniper today.

The Tigers, who are accused of holding ethnic Tamil civilians hostage, have suffered months of battlefield setbacks that could finally end their campaign for an independent Tamil homeland after 37 years of violence. Rajapakse ordered the unilateral ceasefire after intense international pressure.

Norway loses peace-broker honour

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Monday stripped Norway of its role as broker of the island's moribund peace process, a government official told AFP. The decision comes as the Sri Lankan government says it is on the verge of totally crushing Tamil Tiger rebels, and ends a decade-long effort by Norway to bring an end to one of Asia's longest-running civil wars. "The government of Sri Lanka perceives that there is no room for Norway to act as (peace) facilitator," adding the official. A formal letter was handed over to Norway on Monday.