The SLMC and the NUA are expected to bury their differences over a range of issues in a bid to fight for a separate administrative unit for predominantly Muslim areas in the east. NUA sources said that they welcome the government decision to include SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem in the delegation for proposed talks in Thailand.

The sources said that they will back the SLMC as part of their strategy to win a separate administrative unit for the community in the event the government agrees to set up an LTTE-dominated Interim Administrative Council for the north-east.