DATE=03/27/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288031

TITLE=LANKAN PEACE TALKS (SHORT)

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Sri Lankan Government has announced face-to-face peace

talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels, aimed at ending a civil war that

erupted nearly two decades ago. But -- as Anjana Pasricha reports -- the

rebels say they want their outlaw status lifted before the talks begin.

TEXT: Sri Lankan Justice Minister G-L Peiris says a peace dialogue with

the Tamil Tiger rebels will begin in early May. The initial talks will focus on preparing an

agenda for political negotiations to end the separatist conflict.

The announcement comes a day after Norwegian mediators held

discussions with the Tamil guerrilla leadership, in the north of the country.

Norway is facilitating the peace process.

In a statement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam say the government must lift a 1998 ban on the rebel group before opening negotiations. The government says it is prepared to discuss the issue.

The negotiations are to be held in another Asian country. Officials say Bangkok could be a possible venue.

Hopes are high that the peace process could lead to a solution to the

ethnic conflict, which erupted in 1983, when the guerrillas began fighting for a separate

homeland for the nation's minority Tamil community. (signed)

NEB / AP / WD