The Director General of the Peace Secretariat, Ambassador Bernard Gunatilleke and Balasingham's wife, Adele, too participated in this meeting; which took place in the presence of Norwegian State Secretary, Vidar Helgesan and the Norwegian facilitation team consisting of the special adviser to the Foreign Ministry Erik Solheim, Norwegian Ambassador, Jon Westborg and Adviser, Lisa Golden. During the discussion on the Ceasefire, the Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, Trond Furuhovde was present.

This meeting in Oslo was the second direct meeting between the Chief negotiator of the LTTE and the Central Government Minister supervising the peace process. The meeting followed up on the progress made at the first meeting between Moragoda and Balasingham, held on July 27 at the Norwegian Ambassador's residence in London.

Several key issues relating to the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement were discussed at the Oslo meeting. Among these issues were the situation in the high security zones, the resettlement of internally displaced persons and the release of the detainees. The two sides took note of the July report of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission on the violations of the Ceasefire Agreement. The parties discussed reported incidents of LTTE recruitment of cadres under the age of eighteen and abductions. The LTTE agreed to investigate the issues and take remedial measures. Both parties welcomed the forthcoming visit in late August of the Special epresentative of the UN Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Olara Otunnu to the North and East of Sri Lanka.

While in Oslo, each party also met the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Peterson. Peterson commended both parties for their agreement on starting talks in Thailand. He maintained that the agreement demonstrated that both parties are working together in a highly constructive spirit to resolve issues and take the peace process forward.

It is envisaged that the proscription imposed on the LTTE will be lifted on September 6, 2002, 10 days prior to the Government-LTTE direct talks in Thailand.