President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reiterated his firm commitment to a negotiated settlement and to make the forthcoming talks successful.

When the ambassadors of the Co-chair countries called on the President to discuss progress towards talks with the LTTE, proposed for 28th and 29th October 2006, he expressed the hope that the Co- chair countries would be able to persuade the LTTE to abandon their violent approach and return to negotiations.

The President emphasized that the Government would be compelled to take appropriate counter measures to ensure security, if the LTTE were to continue with violent and provocative acts. The Co- chairs expressed their firm support for the President’s efforts to revive talks aimed at a political solution.

The President also explained the measures taken by the Government to establish a Commission of Inquiry and a Group of International Observers on human rights issues. The Co- chairs expressed their appreciation of the President’s initiative and welcomed the effort to observe international human rights standards.

The President also agreed that a consultative committee, chaired by the Minister for Human Rights and Disaster Management, comprising the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Secretary - Ministry of Defence and Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat would meet key NGO representatives, on a regular basis to address matters of common concern. It was emphasized that the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to facilitate humanitarian access to affected areas keeping in mind security considerations as well.

The President expressed his appreciation of the contribution many NGOs and humanitarian agencies are making towards assisting the Government’s efforts to provide essential service to affected areas.

Present at the discussion were Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary of Foreign Affaires, Mr. H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Secretary of Finance Dr. P.B. Jayaundara, Secretary General of Peace Secretariat Dr. Palitha Kohona.

Following ambassadors were present at the discussion. Mr Juergen Weerth-Germany, Mr Kiyoshi Araki-Japan, Mr Hans Brattsckar-Norway, MrRobert O. Blake-USA and Mr Julion Wilson-EU.

Source: http://www.news.lk