Diplomats from Asian and European nations backing Sri Lanka's peace process are heading for emergency talks with Tamil Tiger rebels in an effort to quell rising violence that threatens a cease-fire.
Officials say diplomats from Japan, Norway, and the European Union left Saturday, for the rebel-held northern town of Kilinochchi, 330 kilometers north of the capital, Colombo, for talks with Tamil political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan.
The visit follows a meeting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake held with representatives of the Asian and European nations after Friday's suspected Tamil road attack on a naval convoy. At least 13 sailors were killed in the attack.
Violence has escalated in Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil-majority northeast since rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran threatened to resume his struggle for an independent Tamil homeland if the government fails to address Tamil grievances.