Colombo: Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga today (Nov 7) offered political parties her support for a Government of "national reconciliation" after charging Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's Government of a dereliction of duty.

"I invite all, to form a grand alliance of all patriotic forces and form a Government of national reconciliation," she said in a televised address to the nation, the second in three days.

"I stand ready to discuss with all parties, including the Prime Minister."

Kumaratunga also said she was committed to the island's Norway-sponsored peace process but it would be under strict terms of reference.

However, she said, she as the new Minister of Defence since Tuesday (November 4), had ordered the security forces to stick to the letter of the Oslo-arranged truce with Tamil Tiger rebels which went into effect in February 2002.

The President said she was addressing the people to explain why she had taken over the ministries of Defence, Interior and Information, but gave no explanation why she had suspended Parliament for weeks.

Kumaratunga said the national Parliament, which she had suspended, will be reopened on Wednesday. The annual budget for 2004 which was to be unveiled on November 12 could now be presented on the 19th, she added.

The present free market economic policies will continue but under strict terms, she said.

"The Norwegian facilitation will continue, while strict instructions will be given to them on the terms of reference," she said in her televised address.

PTI