Sri Lankan opposition peace offer

Coalition partners are hampering Kumaratunga, analysts say

Sri Lanka's main opposition has offered to back the minority government in attempts to kick start peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels.

The United National Party (UNP) says it will provide enough votes in parliament for the president to revive talks.

The UNP's pledge comes a day after a Norwegian peace envoy accused all sides of being complacent.

The Tigers walked out of peace talks in April last year, saying the government had failed to honour pledges.

Opposed to concessions

Correspondents say President Chandrika Kumaratunga's desire to push forward the peace process is being hampered by her coalition partners.

We will give [the president] unconditional and unstinted support Rajitha Senaratne, opposition spokesman

Both the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front, and the Tamil Eelam People's Democratic Party are opposed to any concessions to the Tigers.

The UNP spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne, said his party wanted the president to start peace talks with the Tigers based on their proposals for self-rule.

"We think it can be a basis for talks," Mr Senaratne said.

"If the JVP threatens to pull out and bring the government down, we will give her government the necessary support in parliament to remain in power.

"We will give her unconditional and unstinted support," he said.

On Wednesday, Norwegian mediator in Sri Lanka, Vidar Helgesen, said the sides were taking peace for granted and that the situation was the most serious in more than two years.

Mr Helgesen said many Sri Lankans had forgotten the ceasefire in operation since February 2002 was only a freezing of war and not an end to the conflict.