LTTE ban to be lifted ahead of Sept talks, no agenda yet

A day after Sri Lanka and LTTE agreed to begin formal talks next month in Thailand, the government today said it would stick to its promise to lift the four-year ban on the rebels but would not negotiate for an independent Tamil homeland. ‘‘Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s promise will be fulfilled. We will select the best possible means to do it,’’ Cabinet spokesman G.L. Peiris said here. The LTTE has laid down removal of the ban as a pre-condition for entering into negotiations.

The two sides agreed in Oslo yesterday on a time window for the talks, with the exact date to be announced later by peace facilitator Norway.

However, the government admitted that they did not yet have an agenda, which will be prepared only at the negotiating table. This leaves the issue of what matters will be discussed and what sequence to be finalized. ‘‘The agenda has received a lot of attention. We still have time, there will be discussions,’’ Peiris said.

He, however, said the agenda for the talks would not inlcude any discussion of a separate homeland for the Tamils. (PTI)