Hopeful of joint mechanism

He was talking to reporters after his meeting with LTTE in Batticaloa.

Peace Envoy Solheim and Norwegian ambassador, Hans Brattskar met Col.Bhanu, Commander for Batticaloa and Ampara and I. Ilanthirayan, head of LTTE's political division for Batticaloa and Ampara at Solaiyaham Conference Centre, Batticaloa.

Col.Banu has told the Norwegians that the paramilitary forces working with the backing of the Sri Lankan security forces should be disarmed.

Peace Envoy Solheim said they briefed about the developments regarding the upcoming Joint Mechanism for Tsunami Reconstruction and sought their advice.

"Col.Banu was very eager to get the mechanism in place. He believed that sufferings of many tsunami victims in the Batticaloa district could then be relieved ", he said.

Asked about the killing of Karuna faction cadres, he said that this was discussed with the government and the LTTE.

"It is a matter for SLMM to follow up. They are doing investigations, he said.

"We appealed to Mr. Banu to do whatever possible to calm down the situation. And, to look for a situation where these killings, which are going on now, would be stopped. ", he added.