2nd lead (Added Photos)

LTTE delegation returns home

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 September 2003, 11:01 GMT]
The delegation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam led by its political wing leader, Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, and comprising Batticaloa-Amparai district special commander Col Karuna and Director of the LTTE Peace Secretariat Mr.Puleedevan returned to Colombo Thursday early morning after about two weeks' stay abroad, where the delegation held extensive discussion with their constitutional and legal experts in the French capital, Paris, sources said.

The delegation's visit to Paris and consultations with their constitutional and legal experts was intended to prepare the LTTE response to the Sri Lankan government's interim administration (IA) proposals for the Northeast.

After its Paris consultations, the delegation also met with high-ranking Swiss government officials in Bern, Switzerland.

Mr. Thamilchelvan and other leaders were taken in a special helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force to Kilinochchi in LTTE held Vanni region Thursday around 10 a.m. from Colombo. LTTE media sources in the Vanni confirmed that Mr.Thamilchelvan and others had arrived at Kilinochchi at about 11 am.

They are expected to brief the LTTE leadership about their visit and discussions held abroad later Thursday, political sources said.

Col.Karuna was taken to Batticaloa in another SLAF special helicopter, sources in Batticaloa said.

Political sources in Colombo said that the LTTE leadership would submit its response to the Sri Lankan government's proposals through the Norwegian facilitators by the end of this month.



Thamilchelvan arriving at Kilinochchi via SLAF helicopter. Photo: LTTE Peace Secretariat




Col. Karuna arriving at Batticaloa via SLAF helicopter. Photo: Ravi




Photo: Ravi




Photo: Ravi


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