Talks between Sri Lanka's warring president and prime minister ended in a deadlock on Wednesday, official sources said.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met behind closed doors for about two  hours, but neither side showed signs of compromise, the sources said.

The meeting started slightly behind schedule as Kumaratunga turned up late at her President's House official residence, officials said.

A source close to the prime minister said he did not press for the re-instatement of the three ministers sacked summarily by Kumaratunga, but wanted her to take over the running of the Norwegian-backed peace process.
 
Wickremesinghe argued that he cannot handle the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels unless he was in full control over the government, including the defence, interior and information portfolios taken by Kumaratunga.
 
Kumaratunga, on the other hand, made no commitments, but expressed her serious concerns about the security situation in the country.

Both, however, agreed to issue a joint statement later saying they met and planned to have another round of talks next week.

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Crisis in Sri Lanka as president suspends parliament