US diplomat calls for immediate halt to violence in Sri Lanka

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

COLOMBO (AFP) — A senior US envoy met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to demand an immediate halt to continued violence between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.

The US was "deeply concerned" over fighting that has left more than 1,500 dead since December and urged both sides to negotiate a political settlement, ambassador Steven Mann told reporters after a "thoughtful" two-hour meeting.

President Rajapakse said Wednesday the door was still open for peace talks with rebels fighting for autonomy for the nation's Tamil minority.

"We believe a continuation of the fighting will only make the prospects for peace worse and will benefit neither side. The US therefore calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities," said Mann.

"Our call for...