Norway has mediated ongoing peace talks, seeking a permanent end to the war. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting government forces for a separate homeland for Sri Lanka - 's minority ethnic Tamils since 1983.

Both sides in the conflict expressed ``deep appreciation'' for Furhovde's efforts, and asked that another Norwegian be appointed to succeed him.

Tellefsen will take over in late February or early March, while his predecessor will continue to act as an adviser to the Norwegian government in the peace process.

During his career in the Royal Norwegian Army, Tellefsen commanded a multinational peacekeeping and observer force monitoring Egypt and Israel from 1997-2001; commanded U.N peacekeeping forces in Macedonia in 1994-1995; and was responsible for recruiting and training Norwegian peacekeepers from 1989-1994.

The next round of Sri Lanka - peace talks is planned for Feb. 7-8 at an undisclosed venue in Europe. Published: Thu Jan 23 13:21:16 EST 2003

On the 20th of January 2003 an LTTE party lead by Mr. Satchi Master surrounded the villages of Navithanveli, Annamalai and Savalakkadai in the Mandoor area for the purpose of conscripting children in the area. A large number of children were seen running across the paddy fields to Senaikkudiyiruppu and Natpaddimunai, to seek protection from the Special Task Force (STF) which has a camp at Senaikkudiyiruppu. Natpaddimunai is partly Muslim. Most children reportedly were able to escape from Satchi Master’s men. However our sources also report that one child by the name Ajanthan (14yrs) a cowhand from Palamunai was unfortunate to be caught by the same gang on the previous day (19th) in the same vicinity and his where abouts are not known at present.

Due to the prevailing situation families inhabiting the villages of Mandoor, Thampalawattai, Palamunai, 15th Colony, Annamalai, and Navithanveli are now desperate for the safety of their children. As a result a large number of children from this area in the south of Batticaloa district have been moved out to other areas with less access to the marauding groups of "recruiters".

On the same day (20th January) about 5 pm LTTE men from the Navatkuda office abducted Uthayarajah Antony (14yrs) of 8th Cross Street, Velan Colony, and Kallady. The forced conscription of this child who is a Standard 7 pupil at Saraswathy School is reported to have taken place within close proximity to his own home.

Also a few days ago Mr. Jothipalan who is in charge of the LTTE Mamangam office forcibly conscripted Subeshkumar (19Years) of 10, 3rd Cross Street, Mamangam. Subeshkumar was being taken to the interior on the pillion of a motorbike by Mr.Sithamparam Ithayaraj of the LTTE, when he is reported to have jumped off the motorbike at a police checkpoint in Batticaloa and sought help from the policemen. The Police produced both before the Magistrate today and Subeshkumar was released. Published: Thu Jan 23 01:47:09 EST 2003

Norway played a pivotal role in bringing the two sides into talks to bring an end to a 19-year war that has killed nearly 65,000 people and displaced another 1.6 million.

The talks scheduled for Feb. 7-8 will be held somewhere in Europe instead of Thailand as previously planned, the Norwegian embassy said.

Officials close to the talks said Wednesday that the venue was being moved to Europe so that the rebels' London-based chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, wouldn't have to travel so far. Balasingham, 64, suffers from diabetes and underwent a kidney transplant in 2000, and needs constant medical attention.

The Norwegian statement indicated that the contentious issue of power-sharing would wait until a later round of talks.

Ian Martin, former secretary-general of the human rights watchdog Amnesty International will assist in the discussions, which will focus on human rights and efforts to resettle those displaced by the war, the statement said. Published: Thu Jan 23 10:42:11 EST 2003