Colombo: Differences between Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her arch-rival Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe are being ironed out so that the peace talks with Tamil Tigers could be revived at the earliest, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said today.

Unity talks between representatives of the two leaders were underway, G L Peiris said.

"The resumption of a dialogue (with Tigers) will not yield tangible results without the question of who is in control of the peace process is resolved," Peiris said.

Peiris said the committee appointed by the two leaders to advise them on how to work together is making progress and working out modalities for them to share responsibility.

The Government had insisted that the Defence portfolio Kumaratunga took away from the Government was vital for the Premier to have full responsibility for his talks with the Tigers.

Another round of talks between the two leaders will be held towards the end of next week, he added.

PTI