The military has claimed several successes in its campaign against the Tigers [AFP]

The announcement by the Tamil Tigers of a temporary ceasefire came in an emailed statement on Monday.

There was no immediate response from the Sri Lankan government.

"As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from July 26 to August 4, and give our co-operation for the success of the conference," the statement said.

The Tigers said they would take defensive action if the Sri Lankan military disrespected their gesture and carried out any offensives against them.

The Sri Lankan government claims its campaign against the Tigers is going well and on Sunday announced that it had killed over 5,000 Tamil Tiger fighters already this year.

Need for talk

Earlier on Monday, Sri Lanka's military announced it had destroyed 13 Tamil Tiger boats off the island's west coast as it continued its push against the Tigers' northern strongholds.

The LTTE said nine civilians, including three children, were wounded in an attack by the Sri Lankan navy and air force on fishing boats in the coastal village of Anpupuram in Kilinochchi district.

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