The Norwegian Government appoints new Head of Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM)

The Norwegian Government is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head of Mission of the SLMM, Brigadier Ulf Henricsson.

Following consultations with both parties to the Ceasefire Agreement, the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Norway invited all the countries in the Nordic mission to propose candidates for the post of Head of Mission of the SLMM. The successful candidate, Brigadier Henricsson from Sweden, will assume his duties on 1 April 2006.

“It is very positive that another country in the SLMM has produced such an excellent candidate for this important post,” says the Minister for International Development, Erik Solheim.

Brigadier Henricsson will be succeeding Brigadier Hagrup Haukland from Norway. Brigadier Haukland is leaving the SLMM after four years of service as Chief of Staff from 2002 to 2004, and as Head of Mission from 2005. Mr Solheim commends Brigadier Haukland for his long and dedicated service, saying that “Norway is very grateful to Brigadier Haukland for his commitment and the outstanding performance of his duties in the SLMM.”

Press contact: Head of Information Espen Gullikstad, tel.+47 91 70 81 22