The Norwegian Embassy was informed by the LTTE this morning that Mr. Anton Balasingham has a post transplant medical problem and that he needs treatment and follow-up by his London based doctors. He was brought down from Kilinochchi to Colombo this afternoon with a helicopter from the Sri Lankan Air Force and with the assistance from SCOPP.

Mr. Balasingham will leave Sri Lanka as soon as possible but he has expressed a desire that his absence should not prevent scheduled meetings to take place. The Norwegian Embassy will therefore continue its planning for the meeting in Kilinochchi between Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jan Petersen, and the leadership of the LTTE scheduled for Thursday 15 May.