By Susannah Price in Colombo

Sri Lanka's main opposition leader has said he will not now attend a meeting planned for Tuesday with President Chandrika Kumaratunga to discuss the new draft constitution.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, of the United National Party, says he was not given enough warning about the contents of the document.

The draft includes proposals to grant more autonomy to the regions, which President Kumaratunga hopes will win over the minority Tamil community and eventually end the continuing conflict.

Political disagreement

Only last week the Norwegian foreign minister, Knut Vollebaek, held talks with both Ms Kumaratunga and Mr Wickremesinghe in Colombo as part of Norway's efforts to try to broker peace between the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers.

But now Sri Lanka's two main political figures appear to be moving further apart.

The president had blamed the opposition for failing to give her the necessary support to pass the new constitution in parliament.

However, a month ago, Mr Wickremesinghe, announced he would back her plan, even though he didn't believe it would work.

This apparent willingness to work together was widely welcomed, as an agreement by the political parties has always been seen as the necessary first step towards any talks with the Tigers.

Mr Wickremesinghe now appears to be losing his enthusiasm.

Unexpected proposals

He told journalists that the draft constitution, which the president sent to him a few days ago, included new reforms of the judicial system and an unexpected proposal to merge the posts of president and prime minister.

Mr Wickremesinghe said his lawyers and the party had to discuss these new draft amendments, so President Kumaratunga should set a new date and agenda for their discussions.

He added that the president had not told him of the substance of her discussions with the Norwegian foreign minister last Wednesday.

Striking a pessimistic note, he added that he hoped the Norwegian government would not also have to become a messenger between the government and the opposition.