Sri Lanka’s government said today it will not unilaterally violate a ceasefire with the Tamil Tiger rebels, but would do everything necessary to safeguard its citizens after the military accused the rebels of assassinating the country’s foreign minister.

Sri Lanka is confident that co-operation with Tamil Tigers in tsunami relief efforts will strengthen attempts to end the country’s two-decade civil war, officials said today. But European peace monitors reported continued tension between the parties.

A top Tamil Tiger rebel negotiator returned to Sri Lanka today amid new efforts by Norwegian peace brokers to revive stalled peace talks and prevent the island from sliding back to war.