Analysts say that positions harden ahead of elections, and the main opposition United National Party (UNP), the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Perumna (JVP) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are unlikely to drop their opposition to her proposals. Kumaratunga on Saturday urged all parties to back her peace plan.

``We are hoping to end the war in 2000 by implementing the political settlement, which will give a permanent solution to the problems of the minorities,'' she told a rally marking the fifth anniversary in power of her People's Alliance (PA).

The nationally televised rally, attended by tens of thousands of people, was largely seen as a display of PA strength ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 2000.

``This is the last year of the government in power before thenext elections. It is unlikely the UNP will extend their support,'' said political commentator Lucien Rajakarunanayke.

The alliance has prepared a draft constitution that would give more power to regional councils -- including one run by Tamils -- to partly meet the LTTE demand for a separate homeland.

The proposal is stuck in parliament for want of a two-thirds majority, which could be reached with UNP's help. But UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe wants a stronger central government.

``In an election year, the stands will harden. There is no way the UNP is likely to yield ground. The feeling there is that if they do and peace returns, Kumaratunga will win the next polls hands down,'' said a western diplomat.

Kumaratunga used the peace platform to win power in 1994, ending UNP's 17-year rule of the war-ravaged nation.

The LTTE, who have consistently lost ground to government troops, also look unlikely to support Kumaratunga's peace plan. ``The last thing the LTTE will want at this time is a resolution(of the war). It is definitely not in their interest, not on their agenda,'' said another diplomat, adding that the LTTE would want to destabilise the situation in a poll year.

The LTTE views Kumaratunga's peace plan with suspicion, saying it is merely intended to buy the government time until the military defeats the guerrillas.

Kumaratunga opened peace talks with the guerrillas after taking office in 1994, but the negotiations collapsed. The LTTE accused her of not being serious and broke a cease-fire by sinking two naval boats in the eastern port city of Trincomalee.

The government says the rebels should disarm and agree to a time-frame for peace talks. The LTTE, whose leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wants a separate Tamil homeland, say any talks should be unconditional.

But Rajakarunanayke also said it might too early to judge the impact of Kumaratunga's call. ``Since she has made this appeal without political animosity, there could be room for support.''