Sri Lanka PM returns for showdown

The prime minister is returning to new realities at home

Sri Lanka's prime minister has returned home vowing to challenge the president who suspended parliament in his absence and sacked key members of his cabinet.

Amid tumultuous scenes at Colombo airport, Ranil Wickramasinghe said the president's actions endangered the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has accused the government of making too many concessions to the rebels.

She is due to address the nation at 1430 GMT on Friday.

Just after Mr Wickramasinghe's arrival, Sri Lankan officials said the 10-day state of emergency, declared on Wednesday a day after parliament was shut, was being lifted. It is to be replaced by less draconian security regulations, they said.

Thousands of supporters sporting the green of his United National Party arrived to welcome Mr Wickramasinghe back from his trip to the United States.

"We have to ensure that parliament is resummoned immediately for the peace process to continue," the prime minister said.

HAVE YOUR SAY This is a deliberate move by the president to derail the peace process at a time Bala Ratnam, USA Send us your comments Press reaction

He told his supporters that the peace process was "at risk" as a result of events in Sri Lanka this week and his priority was to get the peace process back on track "with discussions with everyone in Sri Lanka".

Mr Wickramasinghe said President George W Bush had expressed his government.

Many fear a confrontation between the prime minister and the president will mean a protracted power struggle which could ultimately jeopardise the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels.

The BBC's Frances Harrison in Colombo says that with parliament suspended for two weeks, there are fears that the political confrontation may spill over into violence on the streets.

It is not clear what options are available to Mr Wickramasinghe, who cannot govern without key ministries and will find it difficult to mount a legal challenge to the president.

Bitter rivals: Wickramasinghe and Kumaratunga

If, however, Mrs Kumaratunga does come out on top of this power struggle, she may face some resistance from an international community which has expressed concerns for the future of Sri Lanka's peace process, our correspondent adds.

The Tamil Tigers accused her of "scuttling the peace process", a pro-rebel web site reported.

But they also said they would be patient during the political upheaval.

"We have to observe the political turmoil in Colombo quite soberly... We can remain patient as long as we are strong," military leader Colonel V Karuna was quoted as saying by the Tamilnet site.

Fears for peace

Mrs Kumaratunga had previously criticised concessions made by the government of her bitter political rival to the Tamil Tigers, who are observing a ceasefire.

"The president assures the people of Sri Lanka that there is no cause for alarm or panic," a statement from the president's office said on Thursday.

She has insisted she is acting in Sri Lanka's best interests and has invoked security concerns.

Thursday saw state-run media switch allegiance to President Kumaratunga from the government of Prime Minister Wickramasinghe as the state of emergency came into force.

In the north of the island, where most of the Tamil minority ethnic group lives, many people were reported to be stocking up on fuel and food amid fears that hostilities between the Tigers and government forces are about to recommence.