The fifth session of peace negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will commence tomorrow, Friday 7 February, at the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin, Germany. This session will conclude on Saturday, 8 February 2003.

The government delegation will be headed by Prof G L Peiris and comprise Mr Milinda Moragoda, Mr Rauf Hakeem and Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke. Joining the delegation will be Defence Secretary Austin Fernando.

Among the main features of this meeting will be the presence of Mr Ian Martin, former head of Amnesty International, who will assist both parties in addressing human rights issues.

In the interest of the media, a press conference will be arranged at the Pan-Nordic House in Berlin on Saturday 8 February at 1500 hrs. There will also be a photo opportunity at the opening of the negotiations between 0900 and 0930 hrs on Friday 7 February in the Conference Room of the Norwegian Embassy.