Solheim here next month

OSLO, (AFP) - One of Norway's mediators in the Sri Lankan conflict will visit the island from January 23-26 to meet representatives from the Government and the LTTE, Oslo said in a statement Thursday.

International Development Minister Erik Solheim said he was concerned about an upsurge in shootings and explosions which have cost 83 lives this month. "I am deeply worried by the recent outbreak of violence in Sri Lanka," he said in the statement.

"To check the spiral of violence, it is urgent that the two parties sit down together to examine ways of maintaining the ceasefire and moving the peace process forward."

The statement said that he would explore how the peace process can be moved forward.