Colombo: Japan today (Dec 4, 2003) warned Sri Lanka not to risk a $ 4.5 billion foreign aid package pledged during a donor meeting in Tokyo and asked the Colombo Government to shed its power struggle and revive peace talks.

"The Government of Japan reminds all the parties concerned of the importance to maintain the momentum of the donor community to assist Sri Lanka," Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said in a statement.

Japan had been following the one-month-old power struggle between President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe "with serious apprehensions", he said in the statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Colombo.

The statement said Japan urges them to settle the current political crisis "swiftly and to resume the peace process expeditiously, so as not to miss this unique opportunity".

"The Government of Japan hopes that the question of responsibility for the peace process, on the part of the Government of Sri Lanka, will be resolved through the process to settle the current crisis, and thus create a solid basis for attaining durable peace in Sri Lanka."

Japan hosted a major international aid, pledging meet to win financial support for Sri Lanka's Norwegian- backed peace bid with the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in June. However, the peace process was put on hold when Kumaratunga sacked three ministers and peace broker Norway said it was withdrawing its role.

PTI