Adapted from reports by BBC World News and Setik, Kandy

The Sri Lankan Government and LTTE signed a permanent ceasefire agreement on Thursday 21 February, paving the way for direct talks to end the country's long-running ethnic conflict.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe made an historic visit to a checkpoint leading to the rebel-controlled north of the country formally to hand over his signed copy of the agreement to the Norwegian ambassador, whose country is sponsoring the initiative.

The accord does not mention peace talks, but preliminary negotiations are expected to be held shortly.

The Norwegian Government, which has been trying to negotiate a peace deal for more than two years, has seen four previous attempts collapse. This time, however, it is more optimistic. "People are tired of war, on both sides and I think their leaders recognise that," said Vidar Helgesen of the Norwegian negotiating team.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga said the prime minister rushed into the truce without giving her adequate notice. But a statement from her office also said she did not oppose the ceasefire deal.

Mr Wickremasinghe has said he is not ruling out anything in resolving the country's civil war - except granting Tamil Tiger rebels a separate state.

Mr Wickremasinghe said the next stage is talks about talks and then, possibly within three months, direct negotiations on a political solution. Mr Wickremasinghe said it would not be smooth sailing. He anticipated problems in implementing the ceasefire agreement which sets out a timetable for measures to improve the humanitarian situation in conflict areas. But he added that he did not want to be too rigid or put restrictions
in the way of the Tamil Tigers coming to the negotiating table.

There has already been some criticism in the south of Sri Lanka that the prime minister has made too many concessions to the rebel side - criticisms he dismissed. When asked about the fact that unarmed rebel fighters can now visit government territory, the prime minister said he thought more interaction between the two sides was a positive thing that would help bring about a political settlement.

On Saturday Mr Wickramasinghe visited war-affected areas in the east of the island - the first day of the permanent ceasefire. He addressed Sri Lankan soldiers in the east coast towns of Batticaloa and Trincomalee, a continuation of his trip to the north of the island on Friday. He told the military peace would not be easy. He said he knew there were doubts on both sides about the process, and where there was suspicion and fear, it was best to remain alert.

Many soldiers believe the concessions the government is making to the Tamil Tigers will only help the rebels recruit fresh forces and capture more land. And some are worried about their jobs if the army is scaled back because of peace.

But by contrast, members of Sri Lanka's Tamil minority are enthusiastic about the current peace process. In Jaffna town at the northern tip of the island, more than 1,000 people are reported to have taken part in a peace march which began in a Catholic church, and ended in the main Hindu temple. Those who took part said the idea was to ask for the blessings of God for the peace process.

On 15 February 2002 an Inter-religious Peace Rally was held in Kandy just days before the ceasefire was declared. The Commission for Justice, Peace Human Development and Human Rights Secretariat, Kandy, together with the Inter Religious Peace Committee of the Central Province organized this event. Over 10,000 people came from the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale and the dioceses of Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Kandy. They were Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils with a large number of Buddhist Monks, Catholic Clergy, Hindu and Muslim Dignitaries. Thousands of people walked the roads of Kandy in silent protest against the War and asking for Peace. It was a form of Blessing on the current peace efforts. Thousands of people irrespective of caste, creed and party allegiance united as one for PEACE. The Peace march and Rally were effectively covered by printed and Electronic Media

The Diocesan Media Apostolate Centre Kandy presented a Street Drama to bring home to the audience the cruelty of War which is like the pain caused to a mother by a fight among siblings brother killing brother. Dramatically the horror of the War and the Cry for Peace were emphasized.

Bishop of Kandy Dr. Vianney Fernando who addressed the rally stressed the need for the LTTE and the government to continue the negotiation regarding devolution of power respecting the equal Rights of each and every citizen. Fr. Nandana read out the official statement issued by the inter Religious Peace Committee spelling out the requirements for Peace efforts. Further, he stressed the need for judicial and police reforms to sustain Peace throughout the Country. The three members of the Buddhist clergy recalled the teachings of the Lord Buddha and requested the masses to come forward to support the Peace Process. A Hindu Priest from Kataragama Hindu Temple in Kandy City addressed the gathering in Tamil and pledged their support for Peace.