Peace envoy is trying to bring the parties back to the negotiations

The envoy, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, and the government's top negotiator, Nimal Siripala de Silva, met as clashes continued between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.

A senior government minister meanwhile has criticised the role of the Norwegians as peace facilitators.

'Oslo teledrama'

The government was taken for a "teledrama" in Oslo, defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Tamil Tigers refused to speak to government delegation after arriving in Oslo in June, this year.

	Rambukwella says government will 'look for alternatives' if Norway pulls out

Minister Rambukwella told BBC's Elmo Fernando that the government will have to find "an alternative" if Norway tries to pull out from the process.

The envoy is expected to meet rebel leaders later this week.

Norway played a leading role in brokering a ceasefire in 2002, but it broke down and fighting has escalated in recent months.

In the latest clashes, Tamil Tigers attacked an army post in Vavunathivu in the eastern Batticaloa district on Sunday, using small arms and machine guns.

The Sri Lankan government says they were beaten back by troops. There were no reports of casualties.