Washington: The United States has said that it is concerned over the political crisis in Sri Lanka after President Chandrika Kumartunga sacked three key ministers, suspended Parliament and put troops on red alert, and it feared for peace hopes in the island nation.

"We are concerned that these events could have a negative effect on the peace process and talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), and we stand firmly behind the Government of Sri Lanka in its search for peace after 20 years of bloody conflict," State Department Deputy spokesman J. Adam Ereli said.

"We are following developments in Sri Lanka closely," the spokesman said, adding "We urge the President and Prime Minister to work together to bolster the peace process and to protect Sri Lanka's democratic institutions."

He noted that the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that he intends to continue with his official schedule in Washington, (including his meeting with President George W Bush) and "we welcome that news".

PTI