The Sri Lankan government stressed that the forthcoming presidential election will not hamper the attempts to hold talks with the Tamil Tigers to review the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), the Daily News reported Friday.

"The government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are negotiating a venue for the talks and once this is settled the State delegation that will participate in the CFA review will be nominated," government Spokesman Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva was quoted as saying.

"There is no uncertainty on continuing the ongoing efforts," De Silva said, adding that the LTTE which has once again proposed an overseas venue. We will respond to this after the President returns from China."

"Our view had always been that the talks should continue at a local venue. At the moment, there is no shift in this position," the Spokesman said.

Immediately after the brutal assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar by a suspected LTTE sniper, the government expressed its deep concern to Norway facilitators emphasizing the grave impact it will have on the CFA and the Peace process.

The government called for urgent discussions to review certain shortfalls in the CFA which hamper effective implementation on the ground. The LTTE agreed promptly suggesting the talks should be held in Oslo.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court announced here on Aug. 26 that the country's next presidential election must be held within 2005, clearing up the long debate over the date for the next presidential election.

Source: Xinhua