Furuhovde, Martin here next week

by Ranil Wijayapala and Manjula Fernando

Former Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Chief Trond Furuhovde and international human rights expert Ian Martin will arrive in Sri Lanka next week for a comprehensive discussion on security and human rights aspects of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday.

Major General (Retd) Furuhovde will have detailed discussions with the Government and the LTTE on strengthening the CFA, Minister de Silva told the weekly Cabinet news briefing.

"It is crucial to have the Norwegian facilitators here in Sri Lanka to discuss these matters after the Government vehemently protested over ceasefire violations by the LTTE," the Minister added.

At the second round of peace talks in Sattahip, Thailand the Government and the LTTE invited Ian Martin, the former Secretary General for Amnesty International to provide expert advice on the incorporation of human rights into the peace process.

Martin could not fulfil his job properly as the LTTE was not willing to cooperate with him to deal with human rights violations after the signing of the CFA.

"We are happy to note that LTTE has agreed to receive Martin in Kilinochchi," the Minister added. He will have discussions with the Government, the LTTE, political parties and local and international NGOs during his stay in the country.

"He will discuss child conscriptions of the LTTE, abduction of youth and other forms of ceasefire violations with these organisations," the Minister added. Local and international organisations and NGOs can forward their complaints on human rights violations to him, Minister added.

Asked whether there was any progress towards the scheduled discussions between Government and the LTTE the Minister said the Government was hopeful that LTTE would change their stance. "We are always willing to talk," the Minister added.