Fresh push for Sri Lanka peace

Praying for peace: Norway is trying to end the conflict

A Norwegian peace mission is visiting Sri Lanka as government forces and Tamil Tigers rebels continue to battle for control of the northern Jaffna peninsula.

The delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Raymond Johansen, is spending three days in the capital, Colombo, to try to arrange talks between the government and the Tigers.

Members of the delegation, which includes special envoy Erik Solheim, met the foreign minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar.

They were also due to see President Kumaratunga, as well as opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other politicians.

President Kumaratunga has said she will present a devolution plan to the Tamil Tigers.

Raymond Johansen met Foreign Minister Kadirgamar

This is likely to be the main subject of the Norwegian delegation's discussions.

The BBC's Susannah Price in Colombo says there are growing calls, especially from Tamil politicians, for India to become involved in mediation efforts.

Norway became engaged in efforts to broker a peace agreement after a request from the Sri Lankan Government.

Continued fighting

Despite the diplomacy, intense fighting is continuing on the northern Jaffna Peninsula.

The defence ministry says more than 150 Tigers have been killed during a battle at Sarasalai, just north of the town of Chavakachcheri.

The government earlier said it had used the air force and artillery to neutralise Tigers positions at Tanankillapu.

On Sunday, heavy fighting was also reported on the outskirts of the town of Chavakachcheri - which the rebels say they have captured.

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Military officials in Colombo said Sri Lankan jets had bombarded Tamil positions around Chavakachcheri, which lies 15km (9 miles) east of Jaffna city.

The Tigers say they have managed to disrupt government operations at the key Palali air base and Kankesanthurai sea port - both vital to supplying Jaffna.

However, the government insisted on Monday that the air force was continuing to ferry supplies to Jaffna.

The Tigers control most of the area that lies towards the Elephant Pass, east of Kodikamam.

The military last month lost the Elephant Pass base linking the peninsula with the rest of Sri Lanka, opening the possibility for the rebels to recapture Jaffna town, which fell to the government in 1995.

Tamil Tigers are fighting for autonomy for Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka.