Norway’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Jan Petersen, will visit Sri Lanka on 10 and 11 May 2004 to explore ways of bringing the peace process forward. Mr. Petersen will be accompanied by Deputy Minister Vidar Helgesen. Foreign Minister Petersen will have meetings with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mr. Velupillai Prabakharan, leader of the LTTE.


The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have in meetings with representatives of Norway expressed their desire to resume the peace talks. The parties have reiterated their commitment to the cease-fire agreement and their wish for Norway to continue with its role as the facilitator of the peace process.