Talks fail to end Lankan crisis

New offers to end the deadlock were discussed at official-level talks last week, but they were rejected by both President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her rival Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the sources said.

With no new talks scheduled, the country would enter the new year with the prospect of a snap poll, they said. Norway on November 14 suspended its bid to broker an end to a Tamil separatist insurgency due to the political crisis.

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"The officials' committee ended their meeting last week without agreement on another round of talks," a source close to both sides said. "They have not made any headway on the crucial issue of defence."

Officials engaged in the talks said the premier was insisting on full control over the military to ensure the implementation of the Oslo-brokered truce with Tamil Tiger rebels and to keep up his peace initiative.

On November 4, Kumaratunga sacked three ministers and snatched from Wickremesinghe's cabinet the portfolios of defence, interior and information.

Kumaratunga and Wickrem-esinghe, who are from rival parties, have held four rounds of unsuccessful talks. Their aides have held many more meetings.

Political analysts and diplomats have speculated that the president may try to end the impasse by calling parliamentary elections four years ahead of schedule.

Sri Lanka is already scheduled to hold local council polls starting in March, letting both sides test their electoral strength.

The island has been ruled in an uneasy cohabitation arrangement since Wickremesinghe defeated Kumaratunga's party in December 2001 parliamentary elections.