ADVT:

  Home   Astrology   Business   Indiafocus   Lifestyle   Movies   News   Parenting   Online Exam   Sports   Travel
Home -> News -> World -> Full Story

Tamil Tigers agree to peace talks with Lankan Govt
Friday, August 19 2005 10:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have agreed to hold direct talks with the Government on strengthening their truce which was threatened after the assassination of the country's Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, who had a meeting with the Tamil Tiger chief negotiator in London yesterday (August 18, 2005), was quoted as saying by the BBC today (August 19, 2005) that Tigers have agreed to talk and discuss the ceasefire implementation with the Sri Lankan Government.

Spotlight: Lanka Peace Process

No dates or a venue had been decided for the fresh talks, but the guerrillas have agreed to a request by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to have direct talks on the truce.

The talks will be the first high-level meeting between the two sides since the peace process stalled in 2003.

The report came as the Sri Lankan Parliament extended the state of emergency after the assassination of the Foreign Minister and President Kumaratunga asked Norway to arrange an urgent meeting with Tiger rebels whom she has accused of assassinating Kadirgamar.

Public Security Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake asked Parliament to vote in favour of the motion to extend the emergency for a period of one month. Unless Parliament votes for the emergency, the tough laws would lapse within 10 days.

Members voted 124 in favour and 21 against to approve the emergency.

The Government had no doubt about its ability to have the emergency approved by the Parliament despite the being reduced to a minority following the pullout by the main Marxist coalition partner in June.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said they conditionally supported the emergency, which means that the state of emergency can be extended for a month without any difficulty on the floor of the House.

Legislators debated the emergency for six hours today (August 19, 2005) at an extra ordinary session called by the President.

Meanwhile, police using emergency powers continued to round up suspects, but there were no arrests made and no breakthrough in the investigation into Friday's (August 12, 2005) slaying of minister lakshman Kadirgamar, Police Deputy Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara said.

PTI

Related Stories
Former PM for Indian involvement in peace process








Opinion Poll
Is Raj Thackeray going overboard with his anti-North Indian stance?
Yes
No
Can't say
    

Results | Previous Results
More News
BJP expels eight Lok Sabha MPs
Speaker should have resigned:...
Sri Lanka approves power deal...
5 killed in Srinagar grenade...
Indian envoy meets outgoing...
Govt will be toppled, vows...
'Spy aircraft' that weighs just...
CPI-M had no option but to...
BJP MP's house attacked by...
Strong earthquake jolts Japan,
Leak at French nuclear plant...
Sangrash Samiti calls for Jammu...
Arctic holds 90 billion barrels...
US asking China to follow...
US has congratulated the UPA...
French parliament adopts law...
CPI-M politburo meets, to move...
Left criticised for favouring...
Osama's driver faces US...
Better Indo-Pak ties will help...
Congress supporters celebrate...
Worth a click
  Sarees
Baby Clothes
Jewellery
Bluetooth Headsets
Health & Fitness

Search Keywords