Italy promises aid to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- An Italian official promises aid to Sri Lanka and called for peace talks between the government and rebels in the violence-torn nation.

Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Gianni Vernetti told President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels need to begin peace negotiations and put an end to a more than 20-year-old ethnic conflict, Asiantribune.com reported Saturday.

Vernetti also pledged Italy's "maximum possible" humanitarian assistance to thousands of displaced civilians in the country's North and East provinces, Asiantribune.com said.

Rajapaksa reportedly accepted Vernetti's offer.