Colombo: Fresh talks between Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her arch rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe today (Dec 10, 2003) failed to resolve their bitter power struggle, pushing the island nation towards a snap election.

"There was no conclusion on any of the key matters," a source close to the talks, which lasted for three hours, said.

There was no indication of further talks after the latest discussion which was billed as a last ditch attempt to shed differences that have cast a shadow over the Norwegian-backed peace bid.

"There is no agreement on another round of talks either. They discussed matters that could come up after a political settlement to the ethnic conflict, but not so much about the current crisis," the source said.

"We are now increasingly looking at a snap election," another source close to both sides said.

The stage for today's talks was set by Kumaratunga's spokesman Harim Peiris who said yesterday that she would not compromise on the key issue of the defence ministry which she grabbed from the Premier's control on November 4.

The control over security forces is at the root of the conflict between the two leaders who have been elected at separate elections and represent rival parties.

PTI