Sri Lanka's Norwegian-backed peace process hit a fresh snag as the LTTE insisted on a ceasefire before entering talks and accused President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government for the deadlock. LTTE in a statement issued from their London office insisted on a process of de-escalation and said genuine peace talks could not be held under conditions of war, violence and hostility.

Sri Lanka's foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar had flatly rejected rebel demands for a ceasefire and said de-escalation of the conflict could be considered as negotiations progressed under an agreed timetable. LTTE's latest statement accused the government of distorting its position on talks.

Though the government proclaims its readiness for unconditional talks, it reiterates its previous conditions of a limited time frame and a preconceived permanent solution to be worked out at the commencement of talks, LTTE said. For their part, they were not demanding the withdrawal of security forces from the Jaffna peninsula.
LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had on November 27 offered what he called unconditional talks but insisted on conditions of normalcy. Bureau Report