Sri Lankan ceasefire holds despite minister's murder

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.

“No instruction contrary to the existing order to maintain the ceasefire has been given,” said Harim Peiris, a spokesman for President Chandrika Kumaratunga.