NE Resettlement, Relief Oslo talk focus- Peiris

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 November 2002, 19:39 GMT]
The Sri Lankan government Thursday announced that it would submit a white paper regarding the issues that are to be taken up for discussion which is scheduled to be held on November 25 at Oslo, Norway. "Priority will be given to resettlement of displaced and relief to the people in the war torn northeast province in the island at the Oslo aid talks," said Minister G.L.Peiris at the weekly cabinet briefing held Thursday.

Professor Peiris said that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and LTTE political advisor Mr.Anton Balasingham would also hold talks at Oslo regarding the progress of the peace process.

Minister Peiris further said that the government of Australia has consented to give development aid to Sri Lanka and it has already allocated nine million dollars for launching several projects. Those funds will be spent under a special regulation so as to expedite development projects already started.

"The three committees appointed during the second session of first round of peace talks held at Thailand between the delegations of the Government and the LTTE are in progress. The Committee of Defense has met twice in Omanthai and Muhamalai in the north," said Minister Peiris.

Professor Peiris added that the government has not left the opposition out of the peace process. The government has a responsibility to inform all political parties of all decisions taken during the peace negotiations.