Peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels could be held at Colombo's international airport, the Norwegian government said Wednesday in a statement.

Norway will shortly call a meeting at Colombo International Airport, which the peace broker believes serves the needs of both the Sri Lankan government and the rebels, according to the statement.

The Sri Lankan government desires a venue inside the country while the rebels prefer a place under its control or a foreign site.

"This venue is in Sri Lanka, and hence should be acceptable to the Government of Sri Lanka. Any travel out of the country by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would have involved several hours of transit at the Colombo International Airport. Hence we draw the conclusion that this venue also should be acceptable to the LTTE," said the statement.

Both parties have expressed a strong commitment to talks to improve the implementation of the existing cease-fire agreement which had "been seriously undermined by violence over recent months and by current developments", said the statement.

The government and Tamil Tigers agreed to meet over a Norwegian- mediated cease-fire agreement after the assassination of the country's foreign minister in August by suspected rebels, but have been unable to agree on a venue.

Source: Xinhua