Sri Lanka's main international donors are urging President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Tamil rebels to sign an agreement in connection with managing the distribution of tsunami aid.
In a statement today on Tuesday, the co-chairs of the Sri Lanka Donor Group -- the United States, Japan, the European Union and Norway -- made the call. They said the aid-sharing deal will not only facilitate effectiveness and equity in tsunami assistance, but also can help build confidence between the two sides.
But Mrs. Kumaratunga faces tough resistance against the arrangement from within her coalition government. Last week, her coalition partner -- the Marxist People's Liberation Front -- vowed to withdraw its support in parliament if she approves the joint aid-distribution mechanism with the rebels.
Buddhist monks also have been staging protest demonstrations.
In a statement today on Tuesday, the co-chairs of the Sri Lanka Donor Group -- the United States, Japan, the European Union and Norway -- made the call. They said the aid-sharing deal will not only facilitate effectiveness and equity in tsunami assistance, but also can help build confidence between the two sides.
But Mrs. Kumaratunga faces tough resistance against the arrangement from within her coalition government. Last week, her coalition partner -- the Marxist People's Liberation Front -- vowed to withdraw its support in parliament if she approves the joint aid-distribution mechanism with the rebels.
Buddhist monks also have been staging protest demonstrations.