COLOMBO, Sept 3: The government has asked Tamil rebels to free all their military and police captives, in a move the guerillas could see as a condition for proposed peace talks, reports AP.

Last month, a socialist coalition won control of Parliament and the prime ministership by (iromising unconditional negotiations with the rebels, who are fighting for a homeland in Sri Lanka

Since then, both sides have appeared willing to meet, but they also have made demands that could delay negotiations.

First, the guerillas set three conditions: Lift an economic embargo on rebel-held territory, declare a ceasefire, and allow people to travel in and out of guerilla-controlled areas.

The government responded by partially lifting the embargo. That prompted the guerillas to free 10 of their police captives on Sunday, and apparently to

drop their other two -conditions.

On Wednesday. Prime Minister Chandrika Kumaratunga sent the guerillas a letter through the Red Cross saying she Is ready to negotiate, but It also urged them to free all their captives, said Anuruddha Ratwatte. the deputy defence minister.

More than four years ago the Tamil guerillas captured many soldiers and policemen in raids during the last round of peace talks in the 11 -year-old insurrection.

Estimates of the number of police and soldiers held ranges all the way from several dozen to several hundred.

When they freed 10 cap lives Sunday, the rebels invited Kumaratunga to the northern town of Jaffna for peace talks about the Insurrection that has killed 34.000 people, but she has not answered it yet

Her letter did not say all

the captives must be free be fore negotiations can be held, but the rebels may see it as a condition, and that could once again delay peace talks.

That also could happen because of the structure of Sri Lanka's government and Kumaratunga's desire to change it.

During last month's elec-* tlon. she promised to submit a constitutional amendment that would restructure the government by giving the president's many powers to the prime minister. As president. Dingiri Banda Wljelunga. controls the military and can overrule deci sions reached by Parliament arid the prime minister.

So far. Kumaratunga has won Wijetunga's support, even though his party lost the parliamentary election for the first time in 17 years and many ol its members oppose the peace talks.