Is the LTTE a reasonable organisation? Is it capable of accepting a negotiated solution if it sees that it will not be allowed to score an outright military victory, or will it keep on fighting even when there is no hope of victory in the foreseeable future? For that matter, even if the LTTE is willing to accept a compromise solution, will it last? And will it be willing to subordinate itself to the democratic process, which could very easily throw up a moderate political party to challenge the LTTE’s dominance once peace returns? Unfortunately, nothing in its entire history suggests that the answer to even one of these questions is ‘yes’. Thus, in the longer run, New Delhi must make up its mind that if all else fails, it will come down unequivocally on Colombo’s side. This does not mean that it should send in an IPKF once more. But it must be willing to use its navy and, in extreme circumstances, its air force and enable Sri Lanka to procure the armaments it needs to defeat the LTTE. The fear that such actions could touch off a Tamil nationalist backlash in Tamil Nadu is vastly exaggerated. More.. Published: Thu May 25 21:34:18 EDT 2000

The group in a statement faxed to the newspaper offices in Colombo said that Norwegian government is the "international agent" of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), now involved in bloody battles with government troops at the doorstep of northern Jaffna peninsula.

The Norwegian mission located at a posh Colombo residential area was attacked with two hand grenades at local time 8.35 pm Wednesday. The building suffered minor damages in the attack.

"We will take serious actions against all those "agents" who pose a threat to Sri Lankan state", the statement read. The Norwegian mission was attacked just 24 hours after a high level Norwegian delegation left the country after holding discussions with president Chandrika Kumaratunge and opposition leader Ranil Wickrmasinghe.

The government of Norway agreed to mediate between LTTE and government in an attempt to bring the 18 years of bloody war that had claimed the lives of over 75,000 people.

Meanwhile, the government today blamed LTTE for the attack on a civilian target, late Wednesday night in which six civilians including two children were killed in eastern province.

The government said that civilians were killed when an artillery shell aimed at the Kalady military camp fell short of its target killing the civilians. Published: Thu May 25 10:34:51 EDT 2000

With the Tamil Tigers rapidly closing in on Jaffna, the rebels look all set to recapture their former capital. To discuss the possible tactics the LTTE could use to achieve its ends and find out if the Sri Lankan Army will fight to the last man or evacuate its troops before the fall of Jaffna, NDTV spoke to Lt. Gen. A S Kalkat. He is a former army commander and was Commander of IPKF--the peacekeeping force sent by India in October 1988 to assist the Sri Lankan government in its fight against the Tamil guerrillas. More.. Published: Thu May 25 09:07:49 EDT 2000

Mr. Wickremasinghe further added that when the UNP voted in favour of extending the present emergency regulations it was on a guarantee made by the government that it would amend certain sections which come under draconian laws imposed by President Chandrika Kumaratunge a month ago. Published: Thu May 25 04:23:26 EDT 2000

A press release from the Media Information Centre has blamed Tamil Tiger rebels for the incident. The LTTE since Tuesday this week has launched sporadic attacks on armed force bases situated in Sri Lanka's east, mainly the Sri Lanka Army base at eastern Vavunathivu and 23- 3 brigade headquarters at Batticaloa. Published: Thu May 25 04:23:26 EDT 2000

India, meanwhile say they have not yet been formally asked by the Lankan government and the LTTE to serve as mediators and help stop the war. Political analysts have noted, that in the event such a request is made, it will strengthen India's role as a superpower in the region. Published: Thu May 25 04:23:27 EDT 2000

The President is expected to brief Tamil party members on the devolution proposals, new constitutional reform changes and the progress made by both the UNP and PA, in joint discussions, on the proposed peace package. Published: Thu May 25 04:23:27 EDT 2000

The Government however asserts that the pilots were rescued though two gunners were killed as a result of the crash.

The LTTE further claims that the Tigers suppported by heavy artillery and mortar fire, have launched a new offensive thrust yesterday and are advancing towards Meesalai, a small town situated along the A9 highway between Chavakachcheri and Kodigamam. Published: Wed May 24 22:53:54 EDT 2000

The reasons for the chopper going down are not yet clear. Reports however state that the rear cabin of the helicopter caught fire at the time of emergency landing. Meanwhile the LTTE are reported to be keeping up a fierce and steady attack on troops bases in West Sarasalai in the Thenamarachi division. Published: Wed May 24 22:43:18 EDT 2000

Pickering, is reported to hold official discussions with Indian Defence Minister, George Fernandes, Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh and National Security Advisor Brajesh Misha this week.

New Delhi has been reticent in making any committment to helping Sri Lanka militarily, but has also made it clear that it will not allow any other country to interfer in the region. Published: Wed May 24 22:43:19 EDT 2000

Sri Lanka stated on Wednesday that it had no immediate plans of asking for Indian help to evacuate its troops from the Jaffna peninsula. In Chennai, the Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kiriella, confirmed that Sri Lanka was not keen on India evacuating its troops from Jaffna just yet. He said, "If the situation arises, we welcome it. But I do not know whether the ground condition really calls for this." More.. Published: Wed May 24 22:11:09 EDT 2000

More.. Published: Wed May 24 20:19:56 EDT 2000

The explosive item went over the roof of the norwegian embassy and landed on the garden of a neighbouring uninhabited house, where it exploded, Victor Roenneberg, the acting spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said to Aftenposten.

The attack took place around 2100 local time, and there were only the security personnel at the building. According to the ambassador Jon Westborg, no one was injured, but a number of windows was broken. No one has taken the responsibility for the attack which came the day after Foreign Ministry's special advicer Erik Solheim and the state scretary Raymond Johansen visited the country to discuss Norway's role in the peace process, with the President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

"It is not unthinkable that the attack has a connection with the Norwegian roll in the peace endevours," Roenneberg said.

He informs that the police is actively carrying out investigations. The foreign ministry has considered the safety of all personnel of the embassy many times over the last few months. All suggested security measures have been implemented and vi think that these are adequate. If the local police or the embassy thinks further measure should be considered, then that will surely be done, he said.

According to the latest investigations that were carried out after the attack, the device could not have been as poweful as a grenade.

Erik Solheim, who was in New Delhi in India, said to TV2 that there are forces in Sri Lanka who want to stop the peace process.

- We are for the moment very optimistic. If we didn't believe in a peaceful solution, no norwegian political would have engaged in this, he said. More... Published: Wed May 24 17:00:28 EDT 2000

MR. REEKER: I don't have an announcement about travel by Pickering. I will try to get more details. But I do understand that Pickering is in the South Asia area - More... Published: Wed May 24 13:19:17 EDT 2000

"We have asked for help, but not to withdraw from Jaffna," a senior government official, who preferred to remain anonymous, said reacting to New Delhi's decision that it was prepared to evacuate the troops provided Sri Lanka formally asked for it and proper conditions existed. More.. Published: Wed May 24 09:52:02 EDT 2000

Meanwhile a special committee of parliamentarians the government says, is working at the level of each electorate and attending to the problems related to service personnel. This committee is operating from the Presidential Secretariat. Published: Wed May 24 07:51:14 EDT 2000

There is support on the ground for a negotiated political solution. But there is also cynicism because most Sri Lankans believe the conflict is used by politicians to further their own short-term agendas. In this context, a general election to Parliament is scheduled for August; the outcome of the war and of any negotiation will definitely colour the results. More... Published: Wed May 24 02:46:00 EDT 2000

The newspaper's printing press located just out of Colombo was sealed by the government on Monday after it published a story titled "war in fantasy land-Palaly not under attack".

A spokesman for the party said that demonstration would be held at Lipton circus to protest government's decision to close the newspaper by the elected government. But a spokesman for police headquarters said that the party had not asked for permission to hold the demonstration.

Under the new Public Security Act, which came into effect on May 3, holding demonstrations is banned, the spokesman added. With news trickling that JVP will hold the demonstrations as planned, police headquarters planned to throw a tight security at the venue, the spokesman added.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's presidential candidate secured three per cent of votes at the last year's presidential election in which president Chandrika Kumaratunge was re-elected for second term in office.

Meanwhile, The Sunday Leader newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrmatunge said that his company lawyers would file legal action against the government for sealing the printing press.

Director of information Ariya Rubasinghe in a letter to Wickrmatunge said that the news item "war in fantasy land-Palaly not under attack" was prejudicial to the interest of national security and the preservation of public order. Published: Wed May 24 02:16:17 EDT 2000

Tamil news services said last evening that the town is tense following the bombarding and counter shelling. The Tigers fired mortars on the SLAF base, the Vavunathivu camp and the 23-3 brigade headquarters in Batticaloa town last night. Mi -24 helicopters of the Sri Lanka Airforce are reported to have bombed Tiger positions situated across the lagoon at Batticaloa. Published: Wed May 24 01:23:11 EDT 2000

Earlier this week the LTTE offered to stop their fire if Lankan soldiers would surrender in order "to avoid a bloodbath" the Tigers said as they geared to take Jaffna. The rebel offer stated that all soldiers would be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) within 24 hours of their laying down of arms.

The military however have ruled out all possibility of a surrender. Brigadier Palitha Fernando speaking to Lacnet this week asserted firmly " We will not surrender. We will fight to hold Jaffna."

Meanwhile Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, at a cabinet meeting in New Delhi last evening, discussed Sri Lanka's crisis situation while a Norwegian delegation took wing for India to hold talks on brokering a possible peace initiative between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. The Norwegians just completed a two day stay in the Island after meeting with the Lankan President, Foreign Minister, Opposition Leader and other local officials with a view to ending Sri Lanka's bloody ethnic war.

The Indian press today reported that India will not agree to a secessionist movement devide Sri Lanka. However, India's Home Minister L. K. Advani has been quoted as saying India, would like to see that all Sri Lankan Tamils share the right to self determination and equal governance. Published: Wed May 24 01:14:56 EDT 2000

Saying the nation is facing its most decisive moment in history she said, " The whole nation is facing a grave crisis as regards national security. We have to face the battle of protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the country and safeguarding the people."

"Our heroic brothers in the security forces are leading the forefront of this battle with the blessings of all the people. Our heroic soldiers are engaging in battle in a fearless and courageous manner to prevent a division of our country. They have a deep resolve to achieve victory."

The President reiterated that it is morally wrong for people on other areas to conduct various celebrations and rejoince while soldiers are sacrificing their lives on the battlefield. She requested the nation to make sacrifices and join hands with the war heroes to share their happiness and grief. Published: Wed May 24 01:14:56 EDT 2000

Bellamy has appealed to leaders on all sides of the conflict to view children as "zones of peace" and take precautionary measures to protect them from the effects of war.

Bellamy reiterated that despite commitments by the LTTE not to recruit child soldiers "the practice appeared to be continuing. It's a shame that we see these violations continuing just when the world is pushing the end the practice of using children to fight wars." Published: Wed May 24 01:14:56 EDT 2000