Minister of International Development Erik Solheim will travel to Sri Lanka on Thursday 6 April for talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse. They will discuss the assurances given in Geneva on 22 and 23 February by the parties, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Mr Solheim and Mr Rajapakse will also discuss issues related to the next round of talks.

As part of the preparations for the next round of direct talks, Mr Solheim also had a meeting with LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham in London on 29 March.

In his talks with Mr Rajapakse, Mr Solheim will also discuss bilateral matters, such as Norwegian development assistance to Sri Lanka.

Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer will also be making his first visit to Sri Lanka while Mr Solheim is there. In the period 3-6 April, Mr Hanssen-Bauer will have meetings with President Rajapakse and other representatives of the government, members of the opposition and other relevant contacts. He will also have talks with LTTE leaders.

Press contact: Assistant Director General May Elin Stener, telephone + 47 95 86 47 01