Lanka for extending state of emergency for a month

Government spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva told reporters that an extension resolution would go before parliament next week.

"It (the resolution) will be presented on the 21st (Wednesday) and will be approved for another month," de Silva said.

He did not explain the reason for prolonging the sweeping powers granted to police and security forces to arrest and detain suspects without warrants.

The emergency was first imposed for 10 days shortly after the August 12 assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Kadirgamar, an ardent critic of the Tigers, was killed at his home in Colombo on August 12. The Tigers denied involvement.

The government accused Tiger rebels of the killing, a charge rejected by the guerrillas.

Police have already arrested two men allegedly directly involved in the gunning down of the minister at his private home here.

The rebels have asked the government to lift the state of emergency, saying it was adding pressure to an already tenuous ceasefire declared in 2002.

Diplomatic efforts to review and salvage the truce remain deadlocked over disagreement on a neutral venue for talks.

The rebels rejected talks with the government at Colombo international airport suggested by peace broker Norway, which is set to send a special envoy next month to talk to both sides.

Attempts by peacebroker Norway to arrange talks between the government and the Tigers to salvage the truce have ended in deadlock, with the two sides unable to agree on a neutral venue.