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The Government is considering being a signatory to an international treaty on de-mining that will compel the government forces and the LTTE to refrain from laying mines in future. Efforts are being made to reach a consensus on this matter with the LTTE soon, Cabinet spokesman Prof. G.L. Peiris said at the weekly press briefing yesterday.

A high profile meeting on the subject of de-mining will held in Ottawa December. According to Prof.Peiris Sri Lanka is making every effort to become a signatory to this treaty.

"If we become a signatory to the treaty we have to commit ourselves not to lay land mines in future. Therefore, it is necessary that we discuss this with the LTTE first," he said.

He also said that the Government did not envisage any serious problems with regard to reaching a consensus on this commitment with the LTTE.

The matter is expected to be taken up at a meeting with Dr. Anton Balasingham in the next few days. Dr. Balasingham is due to arrive in the country shortly to discuss the setting up of the Joint Task Force to identify priority development projects in the North and East.

Both Parties have agreed to set up the Task Force before the second round of Peace Talks in Thailand in late October. Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesan is also expected to attend this meeting.

Prof. Peiris said "becoming a party to the treaty would place us in a good position to attract substantial funding for the de-mining projects that would in turn help us expedite the resettlement task."

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