UN urges "humanitarian pause" in Sri Lanka

WATCH VIDEO

Holmes welcomed the government's announcement, but expressed concern it won't be implemented on the ground.

John Holmes, UN humanitarian chief, said, "I've seen the statement which the government made earlier today. I think that's a welcome statement. What we need to see is that actually implemented on the ground so that the levels of civilian casualties drops from what it's been, and we want to see those people get out as soon as possible."

The government accuses the rebels of holding civilians as human shields. It said it would continue efforts to free them.

The rebels have accused the government of instantly violating its promise by launching airstrikes on a village in a densely populated no-fire zone.

The rebels, facing defeat, declared a unilateral cease-fire on Sunday, which the government flatly rejected.

TamilNet reported, early on Monday, that the military attacked a village in a no-fire zone. The village was inside rebel territory and demarcated as a civilian refuge.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei