KARUNA SHINSHO, ASIA TONIGHT: Sri Lankan security forces are moving into high alert as Tamil rebels prepare to end a cease-fire. Iqbal Athas has more on the latest moves in the country's long- running civil war.</s>IQBAL ATHAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Tamil Tiger rebels are girding themselves for attacks on Sri Lankan security forces as they call off their 4-month long unilateral cease-fire at midnight. A rebel statement says they were compelled to take this step since the government failed to reciprocate their truce. The move has prompted a high security alert in combat zones and other towns including the capital, Colombo. The rebels unilaterally declared a month-long cease-fire on Christmas Eve last year and renewed it monthly. The only response of the government was a truce for four days and six hours on account of new year observed by majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils. Despite that, there has been several skirmishes with both sides accusing each other of starting them. Some of the fiercest battles have been in the northeastern high seas, off the rebel held town of Mullaitivu. Last Friday, Sri Lanka navy fast attack craft fought bitter battles with a rebel logistics convoy, engaged in ship-to-shore transfer of a shipload of ammunition and other military hardware. The navy and the air force destroyed four rebel boats, including two carrying supplies. The navy also captured nine rebels alive. Intelligence officials are now interrogating the rebels, most of them teenagers, both boys and girls. Military sources say some of the captors have confessed that they off loaded the military hardware from a ship berthed in international waters. They were placed in rebel boats and transferred to the northeastern coast, largely dominated by the rebels. Iqbal Athas, for CNN, Colombo.
In Sri Lanka, Tamil Rebels Prepare To End Unilateral Cease-Fire