The fourth meeting of peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commenced this afternoon (6 January 2003) at Rose Garden Hotel in Nakorn Pathom, Thailand.

The government delegation was headed by Hon. Prof. G.L.Peiris and comprised Hon. Milinda Moragoda, Hon. Rauf Hakeem and Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke. The LTTE delegation was headed by Mr. Anton Balasingham and comprised Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan, Mr. Muralitharan (Karuna) and Mrs. Adele Balasingham.

The deliberations were conducted in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two delegations discussed the report of the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East (SIHRN). Issues relating to the custodianship of the North-East Rehabilitation Fund (NERF) and modalities relating to donor assistance were discussed.

Both sides agreed on the urgent need for SIHRN to commence its activities as early as possible to meet the rehabilitation and resettlement needs of the North and East.

The next session will commence at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday 7 January 2003.