Norwegian envoy here

COLOMBO: Amidst disputes over the water blockade by the LTTE to some 15,000 farmer families, the Norwegian special envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer arrived here yesterday to prevent further deterioration of the peace process.

Diplomatic sources said the envoy had discussions with senior officials from the Peace Secretariat and met Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday.

According to sources the discussions centered on the strengthening of the truce monitoring mission, from which three nations including Sweden which plays the leading role are scheduled to pull out.