Peace mediators meet Tiger leader

Norwegian officials mediating the truce between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers met the rebel leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, in Kilinochchi late on Tuesday.

A Norwegian official said the Tamil Tiger leader expressed his total commitment to the ceasefire signed earlier this year.

The Norwegians, led by deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, had been due to meet Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, but reports say the meeting was cancelled by her office.

Correspondents say Mrs Kumaratunga has, in the past, criticised the Sri Lankan Government's handling of the peace process.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service