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by Manjula Fernando

The four-member government delegation who will participate in the forthcoming peace talks in Thailand was confirmed by a top government official yesterday.

Enterprise Development,Industrial Policy, Investment Promotion and Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris, Economic Reforms and Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda and Ports, Shipping, Muslim Religious Affairs and Eastern Development Minister Rauf Hakeem and Director General Peace Secretariat Bernard Gunatilake, will form the Government team, Prime Minister's Secretary Bradman Weerakoon told the Daily News.

He said Hakeem will participate as a Government member in the initial round of talks from September 16 to 18.

Meanwhile, PA sources said the President and the Prime Minister are yet to agree on a nominee of the President for possible participation in the Thailand talks.

The Thai Government has made arrangements for a ceremonial opening for the official talks on September 16. Diplomats based in Thailand will be invited for the opening sessions. There will be formal statements from the Norwegian facilitators and the two teams of representatives from the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE at the opening ceremony.

The deliberations on the second and third days will be behind closed doors. The Norwegian government is to issue a press statement at the end of the sessions on the final day. The first round of talks will be allocated to prioritise the topics identified for discussion during the subsequent sessions. The parties have agreed to hold talks twice a month for the first five-six months.

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