Colombo: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today (Nov 28) moved to ease her stand-off with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe by offering him to name a Defence Minister of his choice to carry on with the peace process, officials said.

The President asked Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to name a minister of his choice to take over Defence functions that directly impact on the Norwegian-backed peace process, sources close to both sides said.

The move is seen as Kumaratunga agreeing to virtually hand back the Defence Ministry in all but name to the Government of Wickremesinghe, though it would be linked to a "peace advisory committee".

Political sources said the move was a face-saving exercise that could help both sides shed their differences and get back to running the country.

Norway suspended its peace brokering role two weeks ago saying they were not sure who was in charge after Kumaratunga sacked three Ministers, including the Defence Minister, on November 4, starting off a major power struggle.

Kumaratunga's compromise offer was made to a four-member committee of officials trying to bridge differences between the two leaders, the sources said.

She was also inviting all political parties to back the move for a "Government of co-operation" after the Premier turned down her offer of a National Unity Government.

PTI