Tamil Tiger rebels Sunday told a top Norwegian peace broker they would lift a water blockade at the root of the latest fighting in Sri Lanka that has killed hundreds, a rebel spokesman told AFP.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) told Norway peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer that they will open the Maavilaru irrigation sluice gates at 4:00 pm (1030 GMT) Sunday.
He said Norway agreed to work towards setting up a committee to provide drinking water to civilians in rebel-held areas of the northeastern Trincomalee district.
The move is hoped to end a crisis that began more than two weeks ago when Sri Lankan troops attempted to force the rebels to open the canal through air strikes and ground assaults.
More than 425 people have been killed in the latest fighting, according to an official count.
