Colombo: Tamil Tiger rebels today (Apr 8, 2004) demanded that the new Sri Lankan Government open peace talks with them based on their blueprint for self-rule, which was previously rejected by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The demand was made through LTTE's (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) proxy Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which won 22 seats in the April 2 elections and has emerged as a powerful force in a hung Parliament.

"The TNA urges that steps be taken forthwith to commence negotiations with the LTTE for the setting up of an Interim Self-Governing Authority, on the basis of the proposals submitted by the LTTE," the TNA said in a statement.

It said Government must recognise the LTTE as the sole representatives of minority Tamil community, which accounts for about 12.5 per cent of the island's 19 million population.

"We strongly submit that the agony and anguish of the Tamil people cannot continue and there is an imperative need to bring the same to an end without further delay."

The statement came as President Kumaratunga said her new Government was preparing to open peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels, but did not give details.

"We shall undertake all necessary actions to re-commence negotiations with the LTTE," Kumaratunga said in an address to the nation last night.

Kumaratunga said she wanted to establish peace but did not say when the talks would begin or whether LTTE's blueprint unveiled on October 31, 2003 would be the basis.

Kumaratunga's Freedom Alliance, which won 105 seats in the 225-member Assembly and is set to nominate a Cabinet tomorrow (Apr 9) to lead a minority Government, had opposed the LTTE's self-rule plan.