COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka's government has rejected Oslo as the site of talks with the rebel Tamil Tigers to discuss possible cease-fire violations, the BBC reported Thursday.
The Tigers agreed to talks last week following the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, which the government accuses the rebels of carrying out.
Each side has accused the other of violating the cease-fire, which was formalized in February 2002.
The rebels had suggested Norway's capital as the site for talks.
"Since the talks are going to be held on cease-fire violations and strengthening the truce, the talks must be held in Sri Lanka," government spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva said.
The government is concerned that holding talks abroad would give the Tigers an opportunity to raise their profile.
Finding a venue in Sri Lanka on which both sides can agree may not be easy, the BBC said. Diplomats say the only feasible place is a no man's land separating the areas that each side controls.
Both sides stress that these talks will focus on the cease-fire and do not signify the resumption of peace talks.
