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OTTAWA, Feb 22 (AFP) - Foreign Minister Bill Graham on Friday expressed Canada's eagerness to aid in the re-development of Sri Lanka following the ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the rebel Tamil Tigers.

Welcoming the Norwegian-brokered agreement, Graham told reporters that Canada believed it had a role to play in helping Sri Lanka return to normal.

"I think this is an absolutely wonderful breakthrough ... we are trying to strategize, to understand exactly what we can do. We want to do something positive," he said.

"I think Canada can play a very positive role. And we look forward to doing whatever we can to bring the parties together."

Canada's greatest contribution could be its expertise in building a new federal government in Sri Lanka, as Ottawa was "definitely interested in discussing with them the issues of constitutional arrangements which will help them come to a resolution of this problem."

"That is where I think Canada can play a role, will play a role," said Graham, who was in January appointed during a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Jean Chretien to fill the spot vacated by the new deputy prime minister, John Manley.

"We intend to be as actively engaged as possible in this very important process."

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