Norwegian facilitators have initiated efforts to revive peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil tigers after a hiatus of nearly a year. The island nation witnessed some of the fiercest fighting in recent weeks in the restive north.

Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim and Special Peace Envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer discussed the peace moves with President Rajapaksa and a Sri Lankan delegation on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The development came as Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that Colombo was ready to resume talks with the LTTE. He accused the rebels of failing to respond to “genuine efforts”. On the possibility of “a new ceasefire” agreement, Mr Bogollagama said that some 780 people had lost their lives since the signing of a previous ceasefire agreement in 2002. The country no longer needed such a deal on paper.

“What Sri Lanka needs is sustainable peace. We cannot allow the LTTE to build up their capacity,” he said.

Asked about the prospect of the resumption of peace negotiations, Bogollagama said the government was ready to resume talks, although “the LTTE had failed in the past to respond to genuine efforts.” Meanwhile, in a fierce seabattle off Pulmudai, the navy foiled an LTTE attempt to evacuate cadres trapped in Peraru Kumburuppiddi jungles and destroyed three of the tiger boats.