Colombo responds to LTTE's request for IA

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 May 2003, 15:56 GMT]
Sri Lanka's United National Front (UNF) government Monday responded to the request of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that an interim administration (IA) with adequate powers to effectively handle the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the war ravaged northeast province should be established before Tokyo aid summit talks begin next month, sources said. The details are being conveyed to the LTTE by Norwegian envoy, Eric Solheim, on Tuesday, sources added.

Government sources in Colombo said that GoSL's proposals outline a "mechanism for development of the north and east,'' a group jointly chaired by the LTTE and GoSL where the group will have adequate implementation powers to avoid bureaucratic delays. The proposals also outline a mechanism to setup a special fund containing donor money earmarked for development of Northeast.

Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Monday handed over the letter that containing his response to the LTTE's request to the Norwegian special envoy Mr. Erik Solheim when the latter met him at the Temple Trees Monday.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Mr. G.L.Peiris also participated in the discussion Mr. Solheim had with the Prime Minister, sources said.

The LTTE has clearly stated that their participation in the Japan aid summit scheduled to be held next month would solely depends on the response of the Prime Minister to the request for an interim administration, sources said.

Norwegian special envoy Mr. Erik Solheim is expected to leave Colombo Tuesday to hand over the government's letter of response to the LTTE leadership in Killinochchi, Colombo sources said.