COLOMBO, Aug 8: The government of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has conveyed to the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessan that the government is ready to talk to the LTTE.

Mr Helgessan, in his visit to the country last month, had stated that prospects for a permanent peace in the country were not bright. His comments had drawn criticism from the Alliance government.

He has now been requested by President Kumaratunga to re- approach the LTTE with regard to a new set of proposals by the government for a political solution.

Ms Kumaratunga has also planned a meeting with opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Front, to discuss a possible agreement regarding the peace process, according to the Presidential Secretariat.

The initiative comes in the wake of the United National Front senior members expressing willingness to assist the government if the Alliance takes a definite stand on the peace process. But a senior member of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the main constituent party of the Alliance, said they would withdraw if the Alliance was supported by the UNF.

According to reports Ms Kumaratunga will meet Mr Wickremesinghe on Aug 15.

LTTE STAND: With a permanent political settlement between the government and the LTTE facing a dead-end amid stalled peace talks, the LTTE on Friday reiterated its war stance at an LTTE military passing out ceremony in its controlled region of the country, Killinochchi.