Norwegian peace envoy Solheim arrives in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 12 August 2003, 13:10 GMT]
Norwegian special peace envoy, Mr. Erik Solheim, arrived in Colombo Tuesday early morning on a three day visit to hold vital discussions with the leaders of the United National Front government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) intended to sort out differences between the two parties in taking forward the peace process stalled since April this year, political sources said.

Mr. Solheim held discussions Tuesday with the members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission regarding the controversial Kurankupanchan LTTE camp issue.

The government and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) claim that the LTTE camp in Kurankupanchan had been constructed after signing the ceasefire agreement. However, the LTTE says its camp has been in existence for several years.

Mr. Solheim is to visit Kilinochchi Wednesday where he is expected to hold discussions with the LTTE leadership regarding the resumption of peace talks and the controversial Kurankupanchchan LTTE camp issue, Norwegian embassy sources said.

Mr. Solheim will also hold talks with the Sri Lankan government peace delegation's Chief Negotiator, Mr. G.L.Peiris, and others regarding the proposed interim administrative structure for the northeast province. The LTTE is already holding consultations with its constitutional experts and legal advisors in regard to the drafting its response to the government's proposal, sources said.

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