Head of LTTE political wing has been killed

The leader of the LTTE negotiating team and head of the LTTE political wing, Mr S.P. Tamilselvan, was killed this morning, in an air strike outside Kilinochchi. Among the killed are also other members of LTTE negotiating team. 

Mr Tamilselvan was a key actor in the peace process. He participated in the negotiations on the ceasefire agreement in February 2002, and in the subsequent peace talks in 2002 and 2003. He played a central role in negotiating a cooperation mechanism for reconstruction after the tsunami (P-TOMS). He was also a leading figure in the LTTE delegation to the talks in Geneva in February 2006, and subsequently became head of delegation.  

“I have known Mr Tamilselvan for nearly a decade,” says Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and Development Cooperation. “Over the years he has become the main point of contact for the Norwegian facilitating team. His leadership as head of the political wing and his many important contributions have been crucial for the peace process, and his death is a great loss.”  

“I am deeply concerned about the possible consequences of the recent escalations. Far too many lives have been lost in this conflict, and our deep sympathy goes, as always, to the families of those killed and the very many left behind,” says Mr. Solheim.