The Hindu : International : Norway Minister holds talks with Chandrika

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

International

International

Norway Minister holds talks with Chandrika

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: Norwegian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vidar Helgesen met Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Tuesday as part of the efforts to set up a joint administrative mechanism between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for post-tsunami reconstruction.

The two leaders "agreed that the signing and implementation" of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure — as the proposed joint mechanism was formally called — "would be a positive confidence building measure." Ms. Kumaratunga informed Mr. Helgesen "of concerns expressed by Muslim parties and their aspirations to be an equal party and a signatory to the agreement," the President's office said in a statement.

She "expressed her strong commitment to proceed" with the proposed mechanism and briefed Mr. Helgesen on her consultations with political parties, religious leaders and the civil society. The Norwegian Minister expressed his country's support for Ms. Kumaratunga's efforts. The discussions also focussed on the "current status of the ceasefire" and the "need to review its implementation in due course."

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