 Troops have pushed the rebels into a small area of jung |
The Sri Lankan government says it plans to open two safe routes for thousands of civilians trapped in the war-affected north-east.
Foreign secretary Palitha Kohanna told the BBC that the two routes would allow civilians to escape the conflict area.
The latest offer by the government comes amid increasing international concern over the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in the area.
Aid agencies say up to 150,000 people may be trapped by the fighting.
Killed or injured
The government has been under intense pressure from the UN, the European Union and neighbouring India in recent weeks to declare a temporary ceasefire that will enable Tamil civilians to be evacuated out of the war-affected areas to secure locations.
Aid agencies say hundreds of people have been killed or injured in the fighting between security forces and the rebels in recent months.
 Much of the north-east has been devastated by fighting |
Now the Sri Lankan government has released plans for what it says will be a safe passage for civilians.
Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohonna told the BBC that one route would lead north past the coastal village of Chalai, while the other would be south past the town of Mullaittivu in the north-east.
He said since both routes were situated within the government-declared safe zone the security forces would not fire into the area.
Dr Kohona said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) would be informed about the safe passage plans.
There has been no comment yet from the Tamil Tigers on the government's latest offer.
Earlier, the ICRC said one of its local employees - who played an important role in the evacuation of civilians - had been killed by shrapnel inside rebel-held territory on Wednesday.
His nine-year-old son was also injured in the incident.
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