Cease-fire takes effect in Sri Lanka

A month long cease-fire between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels has begun.

Reports say Colombo residents have been celebrating that their capital no longer resembles a garrison.

The cease-fire raised hopes that the new government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam may be able to talk peace and end the 18-year civil war.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who won December elections after campaigning for peace and economic recovery, ordered most roads reopened and military checkpoints dismantled.

"As agreed, our forces have stopped all offensive military actions from midnight," defence ministry's spokesman Brig. Sanath Karunaratne said.

"But we reserve the right to retaliate if the truce is broken by the other side," he said.

The last mutual cease-fire in 1995 was broken by the rebels, halting peace talks.

At one time, there were as many as 150 of the wood and tin shed outposts in and around Colombo.