``We pointed out about the import of armaments. Naturally people are asking what is their (rebels) sincerity to the peace process if they are preparing for war,'' Archbishop Rev. Oswald Gomis said on Tuesday. ``Also, the child recruitment ... that too has an adverse effect on the peace process.'' The bishops said they were satisfied with progress made so far to resolve the island's ethnic conflict and added that both parties should take steps to strengthen confidence in each other to end the civil war, which has killed nearly 65,000 people since it began in 1983.

Rev. Gomis did not say what response he got from the rebels. The bishops are expected to issue a detailed statement on Thursday. Five rounds of peace talks have been held since last September during which the rebels agreed to accept autonomy in the Tamil-dominated northeast instead of total independence. Another round of talks are scheduled for next month in Tokyo.

The rebels claim that minority Tamils are discriminated by majority Sinhalese in education and jobs. The sides signed a Norway-brokered cease-fire a year ago, but there has been a recent spate of violations by the rebels ranging from recruitment of child soldiers to arms smuggling.

Thamilselvan said Tamils living in the northeast have not benefited from the cease-fire and are unable to lead normal lives, according to Rev. Gomis. Tamils staged protests last Saturday, the first anniversary of the cease-fire, saying thousands of displaced people are unable to return to their villages because their homes are occupied by the military. Published: Tue Feb 25 20:47:24 EST 2003

According to the JVP's Wimal Weeravansa it is important for the two political factions to unite in order to create a more dominant and vociferous opposition.

The high powered meeting now taking place is being represented by PA heavyweights, D. M. Jayaratne, Sarath Amunugama and Maithripala Sirisena while the JVP is represented by its General Secretary, Tilvin Silva and parliamentarians Wimal Weeravansa and Anura Dissanayake.

Heading the top of the agenda for this morning's discussion is the north east issue.

Both the JVP and the PA are also planning to hold a joint protest rally on the 10th of March against the ceasefire agreement, the rising cost of living and privatization, among a host of other issues.

Another meeting in this regard is scheduled for this evening at 6 p.m. An SLFP delegation headed by Anura Bandaranaike will meet with the JVP team led by Wimal Weeravansa, to finalize plans for the anti-government protest. Published: Tue Feb 25 02:21:56 EST 2003

The SLMM two days ago brokered the release of 7 LTTE cadre at Thiriyaya in the Trincomalee district when they entered government controlled area. The SLMM is now insisting that the LTTE too must comply and release the 2 government security forces personnel. The LTTE however are yet to respond to the SLMM's missive.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Austin Fernando is scheduled to meet with the LTTE's eastern military leader, Karuna, in Batticaloa this Friday, to discuss the release of these two men.

Karuna had demanded the release of 6 tigers being held in government custody for the release of these two men when the issue had been broached in Berlin by Austin Fernando and Milinda Moragoda.

Both, Fernando and Moragoda had refused on the basis that the 6 tigers being held by the government had been arrested for transporting arms and ammunition in government territory and must be dealt with according to the laws of the land.

The government has requested the LTTE to release the two Sinhalese being detained by the LTTE on humane grounds. The Tigers however have not yet responded positively.

Fernando is now expected on Friday to discuss once more the release of 6 LTTE cadre being held in government remand in Trincomalee - a release, Karuna is insisting is a fair exchange for the 2 Sinhalese military men. Published: Tue Feb 25 02:21:56 EST 2003