Peace lifts Sri Lanka gem trade
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3096852.stm

By Frances Harrison
In Colombo

Sri Lanka's oldest export industry - gemstones - seems to be getting a
new boost from the peace process and the downturn in tourism in the
Far East due to the Sars virus.
Legend has it King Solomon presented a Sri Lankan ruby to the Queen of
Sheba, Marco Polo remarked on the island's gems while even the British
crown sports a 400 carat Sri Lankan blue sapphire.

Sri Lanka
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US presses Tamil rebels
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3115226.stm

By Frances Harrison
BBC Colombo correspondent


The US state department has called on Tamil Tiger rebels to come up
with a realistic position on power-sharing with the Sri Lankan
Government so that peace talks can resume soon.

Formal talks broke down in April after the Tigers complained of bad
faith on the part of the Sri Lankan Government.

But a ceasefire continued with both sides saying they were still
committed to finding a negotiated settlement.