Mr Prabhakaran has expressed dissatisfaction with Sri Lankan delays

Tamilnet.com

According to the Tamil news website, Tamilnet, the rebels said they would come to the negotiating table only after the ceasefire agreement has been fully implemented.

The rebels expressed unhappiness over the delays in implementing the truce which was signed in February in a meeting with Norwegian negotiator, Vidar Helgesen.

Mr Helgesen had travelled to rebel-controlled Kilinochchi town on Wednesday to hold talks with Tiger leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran.

In the two-hour discussion, the rebel leader is reported to have expressed dissatisfaction with the government's slow pace on the truce deal.

This is the first indication that disagreements over the accord could hold up the efforts to end Sri Lanka's 19-year-long civil war.

Rebel objections

The rebel chief said there were delays in easing restrictions on fishing and enabling the entry of unarmed Tiger cadres into government-controlled areas.

Prabhakaran: Dissatisfied with the slow pace

He is reported to have objected to continued occupation of public buildings by Sri Lankan military in the north and east of the country.

The Tigers are also pressing for lifting of a ban on their organisation before direct talks.

The meeting between the Norwegian envoy and the rebel chief was expected to finalise arrangements for face-to-face talks.

The Sri Lankan Government has said that talks would begin in Thailand in the first week on May.

But the rebels said with the prevailing slippage in truce deadlines, talks could not begin before the middle of June.

Mr Helgesen said he would take up the matter with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.