Helgesen to visit Colombo, Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 August 2005, 11:58 GMT]
Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vidar Helgesen, will be arriving in Colombo on Thursday on a four day visit, according to a press release issued by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo on Wednesday. Mr. Helgesen will have meetings with Sri Lanka's President Kumaratunga and with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In addition to the meetings in Colombo and Kilinochchi, Mr. Helgesen will travel to Galle and Matara during his stay in Sri Lanka, the press release added.

Meanwhile, Norwegian newspapers on Monday reported that the Special Envoy Mr. Erik Solheim, has taken a few weeks leave from his engagement in the Sri Lankan process to assist his party leader, Ms. Kristin Halvorsen, in the forthcoming Norwegian election campaign. Mr. Solheim, who headed the Socialist Leftist Party, for ten years from 1987 - 97, is serving as a Special Advisor to Ms. Halvorsen till September 12, according to the reports.