Sri Lankan President Urges Rebels to Lay Down Arms

(6 April 09-RV) Sri Lanka's president appealed to cornered Tamil Tiger rebels today to lay down their arms and surrender to save their lives and ensure the safety of tens of thousands of civilians trapped with them in a «no-fire» zone. The appeal from President Mahinda Rajapaksa came as the military increased the rebel death toll to at least 453 dead from three days of battles. The executive director of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka, Jehan Perera, says that it is unlikely that the LTTE will put down their arms: