(The president) does not have any intention to hinder the negotiation process.

Statement from Mrs Kumaratunga's office

The denial followed press reports quoting her as saying she could cancel a recent ceasefire agreement "with one letter to the army commander".

A statement from her office said Mrs Kumaratunga, who is also commander-in-chief of the army, "categorically denied" making the remark.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, who belongs to a different political party to the president, signed the permanent ceasefire with rebels last week raising hopes for an end to Sri Lanka's long-running ethnic conflict.

Negotiated settlement

President Kumaratunga's secretary, Mr K Balapatabendi, said the president had certain reservations about the agreement, but remained totally committed to the peace process.

President Kumaratunga has accused the prime minister of failing to consult her fully about ceasefire.

But the statement from her office said this did not mean she was trying to destroy the truce.

The president says she was not fully briefed on the ceasefire

"The president reiterates that she remains fully committed to a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict," the AFP news agency quoted the statement as saying.

"Hence she does not have any intention to hinder the negotiation process," it said.

Mrs Kumaratunga has appointed a committee to study the text of the ceasefire agreement and is expected to make a statement in the coming days on her position.

Mr Wickramasinghe has said the next stage is talks about talks and then, possibly within three months, direct negotiations on a political solution to two decades of separatist struggle.

There has already been some criticism in the south of Sri Lanka that the prime minister has made too many concessions to the rebel side - criticisms he dismissed.

The main concern in most people's minds is whether the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) really have given up their demand for a separate state in the north and east of the island.