Govt will address Tamil issues constructively

Bandula Jayasekara in Geneva

SWITZERLAND: The Government delegation will address Tamil issues constructively during the peace talks which will commence in Geneva tomorrow, Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary- General of the Peace Secretariat told the Daily News in Geneva.

He said that the Government delegation led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was having preparatory meetings for the second round of talks which will take place at the Conference Centre of Varembe, Geneva. The Government delegation would seriously address Tamil issues constructively and take up any issues that will come up during the talks.

Dr. Kohona emphasised that though the talks are held between the Government and the LTTE it was important for the Government to address the issues concerning Tamils of Sri Lanka.

The Government delegation lead by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva with Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Ferial Ashraff, Rohitha Bogollagama, H.L. de Silva, PC, Gomin Dayasiri, PC, Chandra Fernando and Dr. Kohona arrived here on Wednesday evening and were seen in a relaxed and confident mood. The Government delegation is staying at Hotel Epsom in Geneva.

The LTTE delegation is at the Hotel Royal while the Norwegians are at the Auteuil Hotel.

Meanwhile, an organisation identified as Campaign Against Separatist Terrorism in Sri Lanka in Switzerland (CASTIS) is to conduct a peaceful demonstration in front of the UN office in Geneva on Saturday.

The Organisers say Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Sri Lankans belonging to other ethnic groups will join the protest.