Sattahip 17.9.02.

INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA

Photos from the afternoon session of the 17th September talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam will be made available at the Press Center at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel. Also TV pictures will be made available.

The full delegations on both sides participated in the talks. The LTTE delegation was headed by Anton Balasingham and the delegation from the Government of Sri Lanka by minister G.L. Peiris. The Norwegian facilitators were also present.

The first negotiating session between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam started yesterday at 3.30 PM and lasted until 6.30 PM.

The parties continued today with two sessions of talks that lasted for almost six hours all together. In addition, informal talks have been taking place between the sessions.

The talks have been frank and constructive and were held in a relaxed atmosphere, where the parties have shown understanding and mutual respect for each other's concerns.

Among the issues discussed were implementation of the ceasefire agreement, humanitarian challenges and further co-operation to improve economic development and normalisation. Also the structure and framework for the future meetings and the way forward have been discussed.

The talks will continue tomorrow as scheduled. A press conference will be held at 2 PM (sharp) at Ambassador City, Jomtien. Please be present on time.