Colombo: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels today (Sep 7, 2004) urged the Government to revive the stalled peace process and warned that the policy of "no-war", "no-peace" could have serious political and military implications.

Through their proxies in the Parliament, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), asked the Government to end the stalemate in the peace process and revive talks based on their proposal for self-rule.

The rebels' proxy, Tamil National Alliance, today insisted in the Parliament that President Chandrika Kumaratunga should establish an Interim self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposed by the guerrillas in October 2003.

The country is observing an Oslo-brokered truce since February 2002, but direct talks remain suspended since the Tigers withdrew in April.

"It is imperative that the present crisis relating to the peace process be brought to an end," TNA leader R Sampanthan said. "It is primarily the duty of the Sri Lankan State to salvage the process."

His remarks came four days after President Kumaratunga said she was ready to set up an interim council to be run by the rebels, but they must also agree to discuss a final peace deal. She said the Tigers had refused her call.

"No one wants a return to war", Sampanthan told Parliament. "A war would only result in immense destruction for everyone. A mere situation of 'no war', however, cannot prolong the deprivation and suffering of the Tamil people."

"Forces inimical to the peace process are seeking to prolong this "no war", "no peace" situation. They are not concerned about the continuous deprivation and suffering of the Tamil people.

He warned that failure to end the impasse would result in serious political and military consequences.

Peace-broker Norway is due to send special envoy Erik Solheim to Colombo next week in a bid to try and revive peace talks aimed at ending three decades of ethnic bloodshed that has claimed over 60,000 lives between 1972 and 2002.