Guns fall silent in Sri Lanka as cease-fire begins

Guns have fallent silent in Sri Lanka's war zone as government troops begin a cease-fire to mark the beginning of the traditional New Year.

The government announced this week that its soldiers would observe a four-day truce to mark the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, the only holiday the two share.

Tamil rebels also have maintained a unilateral cease-fire since Christmas Eve. It is scheduled to expire on April 24.

Military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne commented: "So far, there have been no reports of fighting."

PA