A member of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Joseph Pararajasingham, has appealed for the restoration of electricity to the eastern town of Batticaloa where the power lines were cut a month ago by Tamil Tiger rebels.

Mr. Pararajasingham called for give and take from both the government and the rebels, who control an area just across the lagoon from the town.

A BBC correspondent visiting the area says businesses have been particularly badly hit by the lack of power, and the water supply is also being affected.