Solheim expresses confidence about establishing joint mechanism

Norway's Peace envoy Erik Solheim expressed confidence that he would be able to establish a joint mechanism to take forward the post-tsunami relief to the victims of the North and East sealing an agreement between the Sri Lanka Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

He added saying that the Joint Mechanism would be a reality in a few weeks time. Mr. Solheim began talks with the delegates of both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to ratify the Ceasefire Agreement signed between the two parties. He will travel to the Eastern Province on April 20, Wednesday to further study this matter.

The LTTE's Political Wing leader S. P. Thamilselvam meeting the State Minister for Foreign Affairs for Ireland last week had told him that the LTTE was agreeing to the Joint Mechanism now being developed with a view to be of assistance to the people in the North and East who were affected by the tsunami.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike and the international community as well had opined that developing a "Joint Mechanism" could be a foundation for Peace Talks. All appeals of the LTTE for international support to provide relief to the tsunami victims in the North and East have been rejected.

Very likely no help will come through the LTTE without the intervention of the Sri Lankan Government, as the LTTE has been listed as a terrorist organisation in many countries.

Solheim is expected to travel to Batticaloa today.