Samaraweera is the first Minister of Rajapaksa government to visit Oslo

Speaking from Oslo after the talks with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store the Foreign Minister said that his government is “always prepared” to talk with the LTTE.

“We are ready to discuss any solution, apart from the sovereignty, that is accepted to majority of Sri Lankans” he told BBC Sandeshaya.

Oslo Communiqué

Samaraweera’s visit comes days after the LTTE refused to speak to the government delegation, on the grounds that they were not informed of tripartite talks.

He was responding to the Oslo Communiqué issued on Friday by the LTTE reaffirming its policy of finding a solution “based on their right to self-determination”.

The Tigers also questioned the government's committment to negoatiations in Oslo as the delegation was described as "third -level" by the government itself.

The LTTE themselves are the main impediment for the progress of the peace process. LTTE has repeatedly indicated that they are not willing to find a negotiated settlement   Minister Samaraweera

But the minister accused the Tigers of deliberately trying not to engage in talks.

“The LTTE themselves are the main impediment for the progress of the peace process. For decades, LTTE has repeatedly indicated that they are not willing to find a negotiated settlement,” he told bbcsinhala.com.

He rejected accusations by the international community that the Government is also responsible by not living up to the pledge to disarm paramilitary groups including Karuna group.

“Karuna faction is an internal matter of the LTTE. If Mr. Thamilselvan breaks away the LTTE would then ask us to disarm Thamilselvan, too”.

He stressed that the Government has no dealings with the Karuna faction.