Tuesday, May 9 2006 10:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India yesterday (May 8, 2006) hoped that the Sri Lankan peace talks would resume at the earliest as the two countries reviewed the situation in the island nation here.

During a meeting here, visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera briefed Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma on the current status of the peace process in his country.

Sharma expressed the hope that the parties would resume talks at the earliest, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

The Sri Lankan peace process and ceasefire between the government and LTTE rebels has been under immense strain due to latest bout of violence in the island nation.

Suspected LTTE rebels last month targeted Sri Lankan Army Chief by triggering a bomb blast in which he was injured and several of his bodyguards were killed.

The military responded by carrying out air strikes in suspected LTTE areas.

Significantly, the attack on the Army Chief took place a few days after LTTE pulled out of the April 24 Norway-brokered talks in Geneva.

Samaraweera, during his meeting with Sharma, also sought India's support for the candidature of Jayanta Dhanapala for the post of the UN Secretary General, Sarna said, adding New Delhi has taken note of the request.

The Sri Lankan minister, on a four-day visit here, also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Indian Council of Cultural Research (ICCR) President Karan Singh.