S Lanka accuses ex-peace envoy of aiding rebels

Sri Lanka's president has accused a former top Norwegian envoy of covertly financing the island's separatist Tamil Tigers during peace talks before a military campaign that crushed the rebels in 2009.

President Mahinda Rajapakse told a public rally on Saturday that he wanted Oslo to probe the role of Erik Solheim, a former Norwegian international development minister and a peace envoy to Sri Lanka.

"The Norwegian government should investigate his conduct," Rajapakse said.

Solheim hit back yesterday, accusing Rajapakse of inventing the allegations as he enters campaign mode for a presidential election widely expected in January.

"President Rajapakse tells lies about me as election approaches. I will set the truth straight tomorrow," Solheim said in a tweet, before telling AFP he would give a more detailed response today.

Solheim failed to secure a peace deal despite arranging a truce which broke down in April 2006. Three years later Sri Lankan forces crushed the rebellion.

Rajapakse in his address said Solheim gave money to the guerrillas even while peace moves were under way.

Solheim, who led Norwegian peace efforts between 1999 and 2006, recently announced his willingness to give evidence before any international tribunal probing Lanka's war record.