Best chance in 20 years to solve conflict: Sri Lankan

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said Tuesday that the country is faced with best chance in 20 years to solve its separatist armed conflict.

Addressing the religious leaders at the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation, Kumaratunga said the proposed join mechanism with the Tamil Tigers has presented the country with a rare opportunity in the history of the over two decades old conflict.

Kumaratunga said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) agreeing to work with the government after years of military struggle to set up a separate state was a very welcome development.

"I know there are forces who oppose the move including some sections within the government. They argue that relief work has gone on without a mechanism. All that is true but it could even be better with LTTE officially joining the government," the presidentsaid.

Analysts said she was referring to strong opposition expressed by her coalition partner, the JVP or the People's Liberation Frontto the mechanism.

Sri Lanka's international donors have stressed the need for thegovernment and the Tigers to reach agreement for a joint mechanismin order to co-ordinate tsunami relief assistance to the northern and eastern regions.

Extensive damage was caused to the Tamil regions in the north and east during the Asian tsunamis last December. The Tiger accusations of discriminating the Tamil regions by the government in providing tsunami relief have been rejected by the government.