The main opposition in Sri Lanka has demanded that the Tamil Tiger rebels surrender their arms as part of peace negotiations.

The People's Alliance (PA) of President Kumaratunga also said the peace process was moving too quickly and accused Norwegian mediators of pursuing a hidden agenda.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are armed to the teeth Lakshman Kadirgamar, People's Alliance

"Decommissioning must be taken up immediately," Lakshman Kadirgamar, a former foreign minister and senior PA figure, told a news conference in Colombo.

He said he was highly suspicious of "accelerated" peace moves which led both government and rebels to agree a "federal" solution last week.

The breakthrough in Oslo came after the Tigers dropped their demand for outright independence for minority Tamils.

But the PA thinks the deal was just words aimed at lending respectability to the rebels' demand for an independent state.

No compromise

Mr Kadirgamar said: "Why is the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) accelerating the process? Could it be that they think they can get a magnificent deal from the government?

A federal deal would mean joint armed forces

"We will never accept a situation where a political solution is sought first and decommissioning later."

Mr Kadirgamar is a senior adviser to President Kumaratunga, whose cohabitation with the government has become increasingly strained.

She says too many concessions have been given to the rebels.

The PA holds the presidency but is in opposition in parliament.

However, President Kumaratunga has sweeping powers to dissolve parliament and call an election, a threat that could undermine the government's peace bid.

Negotiations are to resume in Thailand in January.