The Sri Lankan government has refused to hold peace talks with rebel Tamil Tigers and have rejected international appeals for a ceasefire, saying it would only accept unconditional surrender. “Apparently down to their last 600 fighters, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam appear to be approaching the final battle with the Sri Lankan army. The military has encircled the rebels and says the Tigers are close to collapse, having lost almost 99 per cent of the territory under their control only a year ago.”