The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) discussed the ongoing visit of an SLMM delegation to Kilinocchi for talks with the LTTE Peace Secretariat which was part of the usual routine. SLMM monitors had been unable to visit Kilincochi in the past few months because of concerns relating security and because SLMM head Retired Maj. Gen. Lars Solberg had been out of the country, SLMM told SCOPP.

Today's meeting was part of the regular weekly sessions between SLMM and SCOPP. The two sides agreed that the meetings so far have proved fruitful and that the parties have been able to accomplish some positive work. This, in turn, will help both SCOPP and SLMM effectively counter negative press reports about their activities, the two sides said. The meeting was positive and helped pave the way for more flow of information and communications between the parties to the CFA via the SLMM.

At the meeting the two sides discussed the importance of revitalizing the local monitoring committee meetings in the conflict affected six districts in the North and the East. In this regard, SCOPP Secretary General Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha stressed the importance of clear reporting from local monitors in order to get an accurate picture of the situation on the ground in those areas.

The reports of the local monitors in Mannar, who had been in Colombo last week to attend the SCOPP Mannar Community Group, were, for instance, particularly useful because of their objective account of the ground situation.

Both SLMM and SCOPP were pleased about the transparency of the regular weekly meetings and agreed to continue to inform the public about the progress the two sides are making.