SLMM Chief meets Thamilselvan

by Ananth Palakidnar

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Chief Hagrup Haukland is optimistic of creating a trouble free situation in the North-East.

Haukland met the LTTE's political head S.P.Thamilselvan at Killinochchi yesterday.

The meeting was the first to be held since President Mahinda Rajapakse and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran announced their stances on the peace process last week. Haukland told the press in Killinochchi that he was very pleased over the talks he had with the LTTE's political head.

Citing reports received by the SLMM after the Presidential Poll from the North and East, he said the region was free of tension.

"The talks with Thamilselvan were cordial and he listened carefully to my briefing on North-East situation. I am confident that a conducive climate could be created as far as peace moves are concerned," Haukland said.

The meeting was held at the LTTE's Peace Secretariat in Killinochchi. Thamilselvan was accompanied by LTTE Peace Secretariat Chief S. Pulithevan and 'Police' Chief S. Nadesan. The meeting began at 2.30 p.m. and ended at 4 p.m.