Archives

by Ranga Jayasuriya

The Norwegian facilitators are now in the process of mediating in the setting up of the Government- LTTE joint Task Force. This is for on immediate humanitarian needs in the North-East as agreed to during the preliminary round of talks in Thailand.

Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jon Wetsborg on Wednesday met LTTE Political Chief Thamilchelvam for talks on functioning and structure of the Task Force.

Ambassador Wetsborg's meeting focused on the mine clearance in uncleared areas and re-settlement of internally displaced persons, the two priority areas of the Task Force, a spokesman for the Kilinochchi LTTE office told the Daily News.

"Functions and funding to the Task Force were discussed, along with the maintenance and improvement of the LTTE peace secretariat in Killinochchi," the spokesman said. Thamilchelvam was accompanied by Pulidevan and Thangan while Ambassador Wetsborg was flanked by embassy official, Tomas Stangeland.

The LTTE Spokesman said a meeting between Peace Secretariat Chief Bernard Gunatilake and the LTTE Political Chief has been scheduled to finalise the formation of the Joint Task Force. But the date is not fixed. Peace Secretariat sources said Ambassador Gunatilake currently in China will meet Thamilchelvam soon after his return to Colombo.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief Gen. Trond Furuhovde expressed satisfaction with current developments on the peace front'.

"I am pleased that things are moving in the right direction," Gen. Furuhovde told the Daily News. He was referring to the "successful" completion of the first LTTE land movement and the SLMM handling of an LTTE complaint against the Navy setting up a camp in Delft islands, which the LTTE claimed is a violation of the Ceasefire Agreement.

The Navy, after the SLMM intervention, agreed to vacate the camp.

Gen. Furuhovde said the SLMM has not yet been informed of its role in the Joint Task Force, but added that it hopes to work with a "close co-operation".

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager