President Chandrika Kumaratunga said the vote would be held April 2.

The move came amid the president's bitter political battle with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, which started Nov. 4 when Kumaratunga seized control of the key ministries of defense, media and police from the prime ministers Cabinet.

The leaders belong to rival political parties and were elected separately.

The dissolution could mean more violence from Tamil Tiger rebels, who have warned that the uncertain political situation may lead to a resumption of fighting.

The prime minister and Tamil rebels signed a Norwegian-brokered truce in February 2002, bringing a halt to 19 years of fighting that had killed nearly 65,000 people.

The truce led to peace talks between the two sides but the talks are currently stalled over a power struggle.

The Tamil Tigers launched their violent campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in 1983, claiming discrimination at the hands of the Sinhalese majority. Published: Sat Feb 7 13:23:06 EST 2004

Thamilselvam briefed the EU parliament members of the urgent and immediate needs of the people suffering due to the devastation caused by the war in the North East. He explained to them in detail the North East development plans that are designed to meet the necessities required to alleviate the prevailing miseries and regain a normal unhindered living.

The LTTE delegation also briefing the EU members on the reasonable and indispensable importance of extending all support direct to the North East so that the entire benefit could accrue to the people living in the province, the secretariat said.

European Member of Parliament John Cushnahan also reiterated his assurance further to impress the ensuing donor conference in Washington on the reasonability for an arrangement for the North East to obtain the support of the international community directly to the developing organisations in the North East. Published: Sat Feb 7 07:35:25 EST 2004