High expectations and unspoken commitment in Geneva

Talks begin today :

Bandula Jayasekara in Geneva

SWITZERLAND: The Government delegation taking part in the peace talks which begin here today at the Geneva International Conference Centre, is full of expectations and unspoken commitment.

The delegation wants to see some form of progress in the talks, which was stalled by the LTTE after the first round of talks held in February this year. The Government delegation led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is working tirelessly and looking at all possible options.

Minister de Silva was seen preparing his opening statement early yesterday morning while Minister Ferial Ashraff was working with the Peace Secretariat staff.

Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr. Palitha Kohona said the Government would make every effort with the commitment to achieve something for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka as directed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Government delegation intends to focus on the establishment of democracy in the North and the East, encourage gradual establishment of pluralistic elections, tolerance of political dissent within the Tamil community which has not taken place for the last 20 years since every dissenting Tamil has been eliminated, human rights abuse, development and the issue of child soldiers.

The Government firmly believes that child soldiers have the right to grow up as children and be entitled to their dreams.

Yesterday, the leader of the Government delegation Minister de Silva met with Norwegian Special envoy Hanssen Bauer and Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim at his hotel.

The talks will take place today and tomorrow and the Government is represented by Ministers de Silva, Ashraff, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Rohitha Bogollagama, senior lawyers H.L. de Silva and Gomin Dayasiri and Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr. Kohona.