Canadian Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 March 2003, 01:34 GMT]
Among several foreign envoys are to visit Sri Lanka next week to assess the progress of peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are Canadian Foreign Minister Mr. Bill Graham, Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Peterson, and his deputy Mr. Vidar Helgessen, said Minister and leader of GOSL negotiating team, Professor G.L.Peiris at a press conference held Thursday.

Bill Graham, Canadian Foreign Minister

Canadian Foreign Minister Mr.Bill Graham is scheduled to arrive Colombo on March 11 after completing four-day tour in India, sources said.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe will meet the Canadian Foreign Minister on Tuesday, Minister Peiris said and added that the discussion between the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe and Canadian Foreign Minister would focus on the present state of peace process and the country's economy.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mr. Bill Graham during his stay in Sri Lanka would visit Killinochchi to meet top LTTE leaders, sources said.

A former Secretary General of International Amnesty Mr.Ian Martin will also be in Sr Lanka next week, sources added.