Vollebaek meets Wickremasinghe

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 16 February 2000, 16:11 GMT]
The Sri Lankan opposition leader Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe told the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minster Mr. Knut Vollebaek that a solution to the ethnic conflict in the island has to be found through a reasonable political system, UNP sources said.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr.Knut Vollebaek with leader of the opposition Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe. Photo:TamilNet

Mr. Vollebaek, who arrived this morning, met Mr. Wickremesinghe, the leader of the main opposition party this afternoon.

UNP sources said that Mr. Vollebaek has told that he has been in contact with both sides of the conflict and he believed that an understanding could be reached in coming days.

Mr. Vollebaek met his Sri Lankan counterpart earlier today and president Kumaratunga this evening.

However, details of the meetings have not been revealed.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr.Knut Vollebaek with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar. Photo:TamilNet

Informed sources said a joint statement is expected later today from the foreign ministries of Norway and Sri Lanka.

Mr. Mangala Munasinghe, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi, was also reported to taken part in the discussions with Mr. Vollebaek.