Lanka gets opposition nod to resume talks with Tigers

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told President Chandrika Kumaratunga his party would not stand in the way but urged her to resolve internal conflicts within her coalition so Norwegian-backed talks can be revived.

"We have given you and your government carte blanche to proceed with the engagement with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in talks...," Wickremesinghe said in a letter to the president, a copy of which was released to reporters here.

He said the negotiations could be on the basis of agreements reached between his then government in December 2002 when the two parties agreed to work towards turning the country into a federal state.

Wickremesinghe, however, said the new administration had serious differences on a federal structure as Kumaratunga's main ally, the JVP or People's Liberation Front, was opposed to any devolution of power to Tamils.

"There is no secret about the views of the JVP on talks with the LTTE," Wickremesinghe said. "What the country expects from you is to resolve your internal contradictions and begin the process (of talks)."

He also urged Kumaratunga to keep the peace process outside a national political debate as any open criticism would detract the country from the urgent need to resume talks with Tigers.

Kumaratunga last week launched a national advisory council in a bid to involve a wider cross-section of society on the ongoing peace moves, but Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) boycotted the meet.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's military chief promised yesterday to step up training for the armed forces and praised his rank and file for upholding a truce with Tiger rebels despite provocation.

Lieutenant General Shantha Kottegoda said he was committed to a vigorous training campaign to increase professionalism in the military, which has evolved from a ceremonial outfit to an experienced anti-guerrilla force.

"No military in the world has gained the kind of experience we have had in the past 20 years in dealing with terrorism," Kottegoda said at a ceremony to mark the army's 55th anniversary.