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Possible to start peace talks after the joint structure

Col. Bhanu speaking after the meeting with Norway’s special envoy Eric Solheim, said that he emphasised to Solheim the importance of and urgency for setting up the joint structure for tsunami relief work. He also added that once this is set up LTTE could take forward the peace talk with confidence.

The meeting between Eric Solheim and LTTE took place in Kokkadichcholai in Batticaloa. Batticaloa-Amparai political section head, Ilanthiraiyan, Lt Ram, and Lt Ramanan also were present at the meeting.

At the meeting LTTE representatives explained to Solheim about the camp in Welikantha, in the military controlled area, which is supposedly that of the Karuna faction. They explained that the intelligence section of the Sri Lankan military has connection with this group. They added that since the killings are taking place in the area under government control, government must take the responsibility for them. They also added that all armed groups operating in the east must be disarmed and expelled from the east.

Col Bhanu also reiterated the urgency for setting up the joint structure for tsunami relief work. He said that Tamil and Muslim people in the Batticaloa-Amparai region, the worst tsunami affected region in Sri Lanka, are still languishing without substantive assistance.

Eric Solheim also met members of SLMM, Sri Lankan military personnel and representatives of the Muslim people during visit to Batticaloa yesterday. After these meetings Eric Solheim said that 99% of the work for setting up the joint structure has been done. He also warned that the killings has increased in the east following the murder of LTTE Batticaloa-Amparai political wing head Kousalyan and that this may pose a serious threat to the peace process.

20 April 2005

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