Solheim to meet President Rajapaksa next week

Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim told BBC Sandeshaya that his discussions with LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham in London focussed on strengthening the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in 2002.

The newly appointed Norwegian special envoy for Sri Lanka’s peace process, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, who was in London on Wednesday, did not take part in the discussions.

LTTE concerns

The new envoy is to meet President Rajapaksa and LTTE representatives on a visit to Sri Lanka next Monday, a statement issued by the Royal Norwegian Embassy said.

	Solheim met LTTE leader prior to Geneva talks

Minister Erik Solheim is also to visit Colombo on Thursday 06 April.

He is to convey LTTE concerns on security and CFA to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The minister refused to reveal details of the concerns raised by LTTE theoretician.

However, he expressed hope that the second round of talks will go ahead as scheduled.

Second round

The Tamil Tigers have threatened to pull out of talks unless the government live up to the commitments made at Geneva talks.

The LTTE accuse the government of colliding with paramilitary groups but the government denies having any links with armed groups apart from the military.

The Tigers are accused of arming themselves using fishermen as a cover to smuggle arms.

But the LTTE denies charges of attacking a Sri Lanka Navy vessel off Kalpitiya in which six LTTE cadres were dead and eight sailors are still missing.