Solheim to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Thursday, 29 December 2005, 18:15 GMT]
Minister of International Development in the new Norwegian Government and peace envoy, Eric Solheim, is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 23rd January to 26th January, said a press release issued by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued in Oslo Thursday.

Full text of the press release follows:

Minster of International Development Erik Solheim to visit Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 January 2006

Norway has been asked by the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers to continue its role as facilitator in the peace process in Sri Lanka. The Minister of International Development is in charge of Norway’s efforts and will travel to Sri Lanka to explore how the process can be moved forward. During his visit he will have talks with both parties.

“I am deeply concerned about the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka,” said Mr Solheim. “In order to keep the violence from escalating further, it is urgent to get the two parties to sit down together to discuss how to ensure that the Ceasefire Agreement is observed and how the peace process can be advanced.”