Sri Lanka calls on US peace help

Sri Lanka's foreign minister has called on the United States and other nations to help persuade the Tamil Tigers to return to peace talks.

Mangala Samaraweera said the United States in particular should do its best to ensure the survival of democracy in Sri Lanka.

He made the comments after meeting the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, in Washington.

There has been renewed violence in Sri Lanka over the past month.

Concern is mounting that the ceasefire signed in 2002 between the Tamil Tigers and the government is breaking down.

It was signed after two decades of fighting in which more than 60,000 people died.