``If we were asked by the parties to be of assistance, then we would be willing to do so. But we are not going to gatecrash our way into the party,'' Fatchett said at a press conference here soon after his arrival.

Fatchett, who is the first minister from the Labour government to visit Sri Lanka, said that as was the case in Northern Ireland where a US senator played a key constructive role in the peace process, `there may be scope for third party mediation' in Sri Lanka as well.

There was speculation preceding the visit that Fatchett may try to inject some life into an agreement brokered last year by his predecessor Liam Fox between the Sri Lankan government and the main opposition United National Party for a bi-partisan approachto the ethnic conflict.

The agreement ran into rough weather almost immediately on whether talks with the LTTE should precede discussion on the government-proposed devolution package, or if the government and the UNP should first reach a consensus over the proposals before approaching the LTTE.

Fatchett denied his visit to Sri Lanka had anything to do with reviving the initiative but said the Fox agreement was an excellent ``foundation'' for the two parties to work together and that his government ``wish to see it implemented''.

Pointing out that consensus between the two main parties on all matters may be difficult, Fatchett clarified that the ``spirit'' behind the Fox initiative was to go forward on the points of agreement between the two sides and not be bogged down by the points of disagreement. ``It is a modus vivendi between the two parties,'' he said.

During his visit, cut short by a day due to a flight delay, Fatchett met Sri Lanka foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and was alsoscheduled to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga and other senior cabinet ministers. He was also due to meet leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Minutes before Fatchett's flight landed, a rocket propelled grenade was accidentally fired by a guard at an air force security check post, damaging the roof of the checkpoint but otherwise causing no injuries. The government told the opposition in parliament that it would issue a detailed statement on the incident later in the day.

Fatchett, in charge of South Asia affairs in the foreign office, will fly to Bangalore from here. He will arrive in Delhi on Thursday to discuss Indo-British bilateral issues and will participate in the EU troika meeting with India on Friday.