We would like to see an end to the war

Rebel leader Anton Balasingham

The two teams travelled together on the same flight in what is being seen as a sign of the goodwill that has built up between them.

In the first round, six weeks ago, the Tigers dropped their demand for a separate state and agreed to settle for regional autonomy.

An estimated 64,000 people have died during the 20-year conflict.

Historic flight

The rebel group had been brought from the Tigers' stronghold in the north to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, by air force helicopters.

There they flew out of the country's only international airport which had been bombed by the Tamil Tigers 15 months ago.

Some of the rebels travelled on Sri Lankan passports that had been specially arranged for them.

"It is a happy augury," said the government's chief negotiator, GL Peiris.

GL Peiris: "It is a happy augury"

"Gaps can be narrowed down."

The nine-member rebel team was led by Anton Balasingham.

He said he was hopeful that the peace process would yield results.

"We would like to see an end to the war," he told the Associated Press news agency.

"Both parties are following a step-by-step approach and we are confident we will succeed."

Donors' conference

The talks are due to start on Thursday at a resort outside the Thai capital, Bangkok.

They are expected to last four days and will focus on security and rehabilitation.

Also on the agenda are the arrangements for a donors' conference for Sri Lanka due to be held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 25 November.

Bilateral donors alone are to attend but there are complications about some countries taking part which have banned the Tamil Tiger rebel group.