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JVP to finalise alliance

A low-ranking minister of the ruling United National Front (UNF) is threatening to resign claiming that the government had failed to fulfil the promises given to the people in northern Sri Lanka.

SLMC rebel leader backs Ranil

Sri Lankan security forces have offered a phased withdrawal from parts of the High Security Zone in the northern Jaffna peninsula for civilian re-settlement if the Tamil guerrillas agree to disarm, withdraws artillery units and mortars and allow police full powers to operate in these areas, a local newspaper said.

Norway, Sri Lanka and the Tamil guerrillas are setting the stage for the next round of peace talks with a host of high level meetings within the next week as the government tries to drum up more support for the process.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks staged a march here yesterday denouncing peace broker Norway and demanding that the government abandon plans to lift a ban on Tamil Tiger rebels ahead of crucial talks in Thailand.

Decks cleared to cut Chandrika's powers

A Sri Lankan delegation yesterday arrived in Thailand for talks with Tamil guerrillas raising fresh hopes for a settlement to the prolonged ethnic conflict.

Sri Lanka's ruling United National Front (UNF) government yesterday demonstrated that it had strong public backing for the peace process after tens of thousands of Sri Lankans rallied in the capital Colombo to show support for peace talks with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID), probing the discovery of millions of rupees worth Certificates of Deposits in two vaults belonging to former Deputy Defence Minister General Anuruddha Ratwatte and his wife at a private bank, will this week begin consultations with the Attorney General whether bribery and corruption charges could be framed against the former minister.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday agreed to shed her powers to sack parliament, avoiding a major showdown with the government, political sources said.

Chandrika seeks nominee at talks