Sri Lanka has taken a step towards new peace talks with Tamil Tiger rebels by securing a promise from Norway to resume its role as mediator in the 20-year civil war.
Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said he had agreed to a request by Sri Lankan President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga for Oslo to resume the role it suspended in November because of a power struggle in Colombo that has been resolved by April 2nd elections.
Diplomats said the rebels, who had criticised Ms Kumaratunga for breaking off the talks, seemed sure to accept the new bid for ending a conflict in which 64,000 people have died. A ceasefire has been holding despite the break.
New Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was sworn into office on Tuesday and said Ms Kumaratunga, who is elected separately from the government, was now in charge of reviving the talks.
Ms Kumaratunga had accused former Sri Lankan prime minister Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe of endangering national security by making too many concessions to the rebels. She has also sometimes accused Norway of pro-rebel bias.
It was unclear when the talks might resume. Direct talks with the rebels, who control large part of the island's north and east, broke down a year ago.
Norway's peace team pulled out Sri Lanka in November, saying that Colombo first had to decide whether the president or prime minister was in charge of the peace process.