Norway says it is withdrawing from efforts to end

 the Sri Lankan conflict until a dispute between the

 country's President and Prime Minister is settled.

 Norwegian diplomat Vidar Helgesen made the announcement

 at the end of a visit to Colombo.

 Mr. Helgesen said the political crisis 

in Sri Lanka will make it more difficult to continue a truce between

 the government and Tamil rebels.

 Norway helped negotiate the ceasefire in February.

 Last week, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga 

took control of three government ministries.

 She also suspended parliament and asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesing

 to form a government of national unity.

 She accused Mr. Wickremesing of giving too much to the rebels.