Prime Minister leaves to US

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 September 2002, 20:50 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Friday left for United States of America on an official visit. "The main purpose of his visit is to brief world leaders on the ongoing peace process and seek more foreign investment," said Cabinet spokesman Minister Mr. G.L.Peiris at press briefing Friday.

Minister Peiris further said that the Prime Minister during his stay in US will meet Indian Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee, US Deputy Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Ms.Christina Rocca, European Union leader Mr. Christ Patten and leaders of international funding agencies.

He and Minister Milinda Morogoda will be joining the Prime Minister in US at the conclusion of the first round of peace talks at Thailand between the government and the LTTE which is to begin on September 16, said Minister G.L.Peiris.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Mr.Peiris added that government peace delegation will be leaving Colombo Saturday morning to Thailand. The delegation comprises Ministers Milinda Morogoda, G.L.Peiris, Rauff Hakeem and Peace Secretariat Director General Mr.Bernard Gunatilake.

"The first round of talks at Thailand will focus on preparing an agenda to lay foundation for future negotiation. However it will not be possible to resolve the ethnic conflict, which has been continuing for several decades at once," said Minister Mr.Peiris.

"The government is prepared to talk about the proposed interim administration for the northeastern province with the LTTE. The government will also talk about devolving powers. The eastern province will play an important role when powers devolved at provincial level," said Minister Mr.Peiris.