Colombo: Expressing "disappointment and disenchantment" with the peace talks, the Tamil Tigers on April 23 said the "honeymoon period was over" and they were set for hard bargaining, even as the Opposition demanded immediate summoning of Parliament to discuss the crises.

"The honeymoon period is over. We have suspended talks to express our disappointment and disenchantment. Our soft approach at the negotiations has ended," top political-wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) V Balakumaran was quoted as saying by Tamil daily 'Sudar Oli'.

"That is all," he said, after declaring that the Tigers were now set for hard bargaining with the Sri Lankan government.

The LTTE has so far not said anything directly about the next round of Norway-brokered four-day peace talks originally scheduled to open in Thailand on April 29.

The remark left the option open for the guerrillas to reopen talks with the government.

The main Opposition People's Alliance (PA) of President Chandrika Kumaratunga on April 23 asked the government to summon Parliament immediately to discuss the crisis, which emerged after LTTE suspended the peace talks on April 21.

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse said they were keen to ensure the talks resumed and there was no slipping back.

Kumaratunga today called several meetings with Opposition parties to discuss the crises. For his part, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe noted that the Tigers were still committed to a negotiated settlement.

PTI