Chennai, Apr. 27 : The Congress party was on Monday attacked by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Chief Jayalalithaa for dubbing Eelam demands as `anti-national'.

"I am a patriot, why are my credentials being questioned?" she said.

Jayalalithaa claimed that her demand on Eelam was based on the humantarian crisis of trapped Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka and she was not demanding a separate nation being carved out of India.

She also sought an explanation from the Congress as to why her demand on Eelam is against India's interest.

Jayalalithaa''s criticism came as the Sri Lankan Government said that the combat operations in the northern parts of the island have concluded and security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons.

A statement from the President Mahinda Rajapaksa''s Office said that Sri Lankan security forces will confine their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving the civilians.

Home Minister P Chidambaram welcomed the Sri Lankan government''s decision to stop combat operations in the island''s north, saying it offered "solace" to India.

"It means cessation of hostilities. It means to the Government of India that the Sri Lankan Government has put an end to the ongoing offensive," Chidambaram said.

He said Colombo had instructed its security forces not to use heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial fire which could cause civilian casualties.

He welcomed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi''s decision to call off his indefinite fast demanding unconditional ceasefire, following Colombo''s announcement. (ANI)