His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa met this morning with many of the members of the Government delegation, including ministers who had participated in the peace talks with the LTTE in February.

The following participated in the discussions with the President: Minister of Health Care, Nutrition & Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Chief government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister of Housing & Construction Ms Ferial Ashraff, Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary General SCOPP Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary Foreign Ministry H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, H.L de Silva PC, Gomin Dayasri, Chandra Fernando and Coordinating Secretary to the President Sajin Vaas Goonewardena.

The President outlined some of the core issues that Government intended to focus on during the forthcoming peace talks. These included democracy, multi party elections, tolerance of political dissent, human rights, child soldiers, development of the North and East and devolution issues. The President was informed that the work of the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) and the Panel of Experts has advanced considerably. The President instructed that a number of issues that have been identified by the Panel of Experts as causing serious concern to the minorities must be addressed immediately.

The Peace Secretariat will organize a workshop on negotiation techniques for the members of the delegation in the lead up to the talks.

The full Government delegation to the talks has not been finalized yet.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will lead the Government delegation.