Norwegian envoy encouraged by discussions in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 December 2002, 20:53 GMT]
The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Jon Westborg, told journalists today that he is encouraged by discussions held in Kilinochchi on matters related to the resettlement of people affected by the war in the North-East.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Jon Westborg declared open the Secretariat of the Sub-Committee on Humanitarian and Rehabilitation needs in the North-East by cutting the ribbon.

"I welcome the smooth way in which decisions regarding the Ceasefire Agreement were made at the discussions," the ambassador said. He added that the matters discussed at the meeting would take a final shape in subsequent discussions and "constructive development efforts would start soon."

The director of the peace secretariat, Mr. Bernard Gunatillake, said: "The discussions concluded as smoothly as we expected." Mr. Gunatillake is also the principal representative of the government in the subcommittee on immediate rehabilitation and development.

The ambassador for Japan, Mr.S.Otsuka unveiled the name board of the Secretariat of the Sub-Committee on Humanitarian and Rehabilitation needs in the North-East in Kilinochchi, Sunday, 15 December 202.

He said that in future meetings more detailed plans would be made and development efforts would be taken forward.

The director of the secretariat for immediate humanitarian development in the North-East, Mr. M.I. Selvin, told journalists that the secretariat would initially focus on and expedite rehabilitation in the following three categories: resettling displaced people in their own homes, rehabilitating the war-affected women and children and helping resettled families find self-employment.

The human resources needs of the secretariat have not been met yet, said Mr. Selvin. "Both the government and the LTTE are taking the necessary steps in this regard. The secretariat's services are not like that of any government office. It is a more urgent and more onerous service, and the secretariat should act with firmness and dedication," he said.

Mr. Bernard Gunatillake and Mr.Thamilselvan.

Explaining the bank account opened by the secretariat, Mr. Selvin said: "The funds for development and rehabilitation efforts will be provided by foreign aid -the World Bank or the UNDP will be in charge of the secretariat. But such foreign funds have not yet reached the North-East."

Mr. Rizard Badurideen, who was part of the government delegation at the discussions, said that the LTTE has agreed to assist the war-affected people without any ethnic bias.