OSLO: Talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be held as scheduled on October 28 and 29 in Geneva, despite the upsurge in violence on the island. Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister for International Development, told visiting Indian presspersons here on Thursday that there was no change in the commitment by both parties to come to Geneva. It is expected that Colombo's delegation will be led by Health Minister Nimal Sripala de Silva and the LTTE team by Thamilchelvan.

Mr. Solheim, who is overseeing Norway's facilitation efforts in Sri Lanka, conceded that the crisis there was grave and no one could afford to be a bystander. He himself will travel to Geneva, for the talks.

Expressing the hope that the talks would end all military operations in Sri Lanka, Mr. Solheim stressed that had there been a military solution to the ethnic conflict, it would have been found long ago.

Appreciating India's stand that Colombo and the Tigers should return to the dialogue path, he described as an "encouraging development" the recent talks between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to find common ground in the ethnic conflict.

The two leaders needed to sustain and finalise their new positions. "Joint positions will make the peace process more sustainable."

Asked if India should play a more direct role in Sri Lanka, the Norwegian Minister said it was up to New Delhi to take a decision. However, a direct role would come with a price like Norway had found out - some Sri Lankans could throw eggs, stones and burn effigies.

"The cautiousness of India is based on a deep understanding of Sri Lankan affairs."

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