US appeals for political solution to Lanka conflict

Washington, May 25: The Bush administration has described as unfortunate the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka, urging both sides to find a political solution to this conflict.

''Certainly, we think that the Sri Lankan people deserve an opportunity to live in a peaceful, democratic country and one that is not subject to the kinds of activities that we've seen,'' said State Department's Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey.

He was commenting on yesterday's violence at a naval base of the island nation where the rebels claimed to have killed 35 sailors but Sri Lanka's military says fewer than 10 were killed.

Casey said Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Richard Boucher was just there early this month and and he did talk with government officials and a wide variety of civil society representatives and urged them to develop the kinds of power-sharing proposals that would allow them to move the peace process forward.

He said, ''We're going to keep working with Sri Lanka Government officials as well as the Norwegians and the other co-chair partners to encourage a peaceful resolution to this conflict.'' He said the situation there was difficult. ''But, the parties have an obligation to the Sri Lankan people to be able to come together, develop a power-sharing arrangement that can gain the support of the majority of the population and be able to put this issue to rest.'' In reply to a question, Casey said, ''I'm certainly not aware though of any request for military intervention or the creation of some kind of peacekeeping force or anything like that though.''

UNI

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