Sri Lankan government welcomes Tamil Tigers' ceasefire

Sri Lanka's new government says it is likely to "respond positively" to the Tamil Tiger rebels' declaration of a one-month ceasefire.

The Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam said the offer is a goodwill measure to advance the peace process.

The rebel statement was issued hours after the opening of a new Parliament, dominated by the United National Front of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He has promised to pursue peace talks to end an 18-year war that has killed more than 64,000 people.

As the Parliament met, national flags were flown from buildings in the capital as symbols of peace in response to a government appeal.

Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the rebels, issued orders to all combat units to "cease all hostile military actions against the Sri Lankan armed forces from midnight Christmas Eve".

"We'll probably respond positively to it," said defence minister Thilak Marapana.

The rebels said they are prepared to extend the ceasefire, depending on the government response.