Co-chairs expressed concern on recent escalated violence in Jaffna

The co-chairs, European Union, the United States, Japan and Norway after a meeting in Brussels said in a statement that they had noted the LTTE's recent appeal for "a reasonable political framework".

“However, the co-chairs condemn the LTTE's enforced boycott of the presidential election in parts of the north and east, which deprived Tamil voters of their right to vote," the statement added.

"The co-chairs also condemn in the strongest terms the recent escalation in violence in the north and east," it said.

It also stated that a representative of the Indian Government met separately with the Co-Chairs for "an exchange of views".

Violence in Jaffna

18 soldiers and two policemen were killed and Sri Lanka Airforce helicopter was shot since President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over office on 19 November.

The co-chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their ongoing campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and the peace process Co-chairs statement

"The co-chairs call on the LTTE to put an immediate end to their ongoing campaign of violence and again urge the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and the peace process," the statement warned.

The donors also warned the government to stop working with Tamil paramilitaries.

They urge the Government to "ensure that such groups cease their paramilitary activities, as a demonstration of its commitment to a peaceful way forward".

The donors urged both the government and the LTTE to respond to Sri Lankan public’s desire to have peace in the island nation.

EU aid package

Meanwhile, The European Commission said it intensified its efforts to support Norway's facilitation effort, despite the deteriorating political situation.

“The Commission supported efforts to set up a joint structure for the Government, the LTTE and representatives of the Muslim community to agree on priorities for reconstruction in the North and East of the country.”

We will call upon both parties in the strongest possible terms to consolidate the ceasefire Erik Solheim

The EU said the 95 million Euros have been allocated to Sri Lanka in order to regenerate communities, restart livelihoods and repair economic infrastructure.

But a further 50 million Euros is held up due to the political gridlock on the "Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure" (P-TOMS).

P-TOMS failure

The government led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the LTTE agreed jointly on reconstruction priorities for the North and East of the country after tsunami but the Supreme Court ruled that the part of the agreement violated Sri Lanka’s constitution.

“This gridlock has impeded long-term reconstruction work in the North and East of Sri Lanka,” the statement added.

The talks were held amid fears that frequent violations are making the four-year ceasefire irrelevant.

On Saturday, the Tigers rejected a government offer to hold peace talks at a neutral venue somewhere in Asia.

Special meeting

Norwegian Minister for International Development Erik Solheim, who is attending the meeting in Brussels, told bbcsinahala.com that the minister is to meet LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham on Tuesday.

Solheim said that he will be going to Colombo "as soon as a date is fixed".

"We will call upon both parties in the strongest possible terms to consolidate the ceasefire," he added.

The Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers should "leave aside petty issues" on resuming talks said the special envoy on his way to meet Balasingham in London.