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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi and Rajmi Manatunga

Peace talks in Thailand between the government and the LTTE, which begins on Monday will cover a broad range of issues in the backdrop of a sharp reduction in ceasefire violations at home.

The topics at the talks range from the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, economic development, political and legal matters to the devolution of power.

Cabinet spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris told the weekly Cabinet briefing yesterday "the main purpose of the discussion is to prepare an agenda for the next few sessions." The talks between the government and the LTTE at a Naval base in Sattahip in southern Thailand, will be held under tight security and with considerable international media attention focused on them.

At the talks the first issues to be addressed will relate to the ceasefire in order to ensure the continuity and stability of the Memorandum of Understanding, Prof. Peiris said.

"Secondly, we will be considering economic development. Measures will be taken to ensure that development programs are implemented swiftly and efficiently without any form of impediment. We have realised that the confidence of the people in the peace process will depend on visible activities relating to development and economic prosperity. This would be for all the people of this country."

Prof. Peiris told the Daily News last night that the government would urge investors and the donor community to make use of the environment of peace brought about by the commencement of talks and the ceasefire to begin economic activity. He said that the government understands major investments could not come until a permanent peace was arranged, but the atmosphere was conducive now for investment. "They can start some projects now," he said.

He and Minister Milinda Moragoda are due to fly directly from Thailand to New York to team up with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and address world leaders, donors and investors gathered there about the progress of the peace process.

He said a range of political and legal matters including the institutional mechanism required for a just and fair political settlement to the ethnic question will be discussed. The Reuters News Agency quoted him as saying the government was prepared to discuss an interim administration for the North and East.

The Minister said consideration will be given to how these talks are to be structured and organised for the future. "It is our intention to meet regularly - at least once in three weeks."

The Government delegation comprises Ministers G.L. Peiris, Moragoda and Rauff Hakeem and the Peace Secretariat Director General Ambassador Bernard Gunathilake.

Minister Peiris who observed that the fervent desire of the country is for peace said "We will assure the country that we will leave no stone unturned to bring peace to country - peace with honour, peace that respects rights and aspirations of all the people of this country. We must not expect very quick results - a problem that has been with us for two decades cannot be solved overnight. We have laid a solid foundation on the strategy of one step at a time," he added.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said that ceasefire violations had shown a 28% decrease in August. Mission Chief Trond Furuhovde said in a statement "This is a clear sign that restoration of normalcy is underway in Sri Lanka. Both parties are showing considerable restraint and a common responsibility for restoring the peace." This he said is "especially encouraging news now at the start of the peace talks."

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