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We are seen in a way as neutral- Helgesen
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo,
SLT 8. 40 p.m Friday 14 March.
Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Vidar Helgesen said today that
Norway is seen in a way as neutral and his country has a long-standing
commitment to peace and Norway got no colonial past with few vested
interests. He pointed out that peace in Sri Lanka would serve a collective
interest in the world as bringing in peace and would help to solve issues
such as the refugee problem. Speaking at the International Institute of
International Relations in Colombo Helgesen said, "Norway is a small
country. In no way we could impose our views. We could only promote
dialogue. However only the parties involved could achieve peace. As a
facilitator we stand in the middle" He said that Sri Lanka suffered war and
opted for peace. Commenting on the role of the media in the Sri Lankan peace
process, Helsegen said, " Some media reports could be very frustrating. Some
sections of the media say that the peace process is very secretive. But,
there is not much happening than what appears in the newspapers." However
the Norwegian diplomat admitted that critical media reports helps them to
take corrective action and to have reality checks.
Published: Fri Mar 14 09:50:29 EST 2003
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 ASK LAKSHMAN!
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A Q&A with Sri Lanka's Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
We are pleased to introduce Mr. Lakshman Kadiragamar, former Foreign
Minister of Sri Lanka, as the 11th guest in our series of Q&A
sessions. Presidents Counsel and Member of Parliament, Mr. Kadiragamar
is currently the special adviser on Foreign Affairs to the President
of Sri Lanka. Send in your questions to Mr. Kadiragamar and receive
his answers here.
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IT'S NOT CRICKET, STUPID, IT'S COMPUTERS, LOVELY COMPUTERS
Fulbright Scholar Brings Computers to Urban Disadvantaged Children in
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
By Chulie de Silva, Colombo.
You would think on a warm Saturday morning, children in Sri Lanka
would be watching a cricket match and cheering on their heroes. No,
not in Kew Road, Slave Island, a multi-ethnic enclave just five
minutes away from the exclusive Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo's central
down town area. The cricket match played on at the Malay Cricket Club,
on Saturday 25, January but thirty children were flocked round five
computers in a little rectangular room of the Vocational Training
Center (VTC) run by the Sri Lanka Malay Association's (SLMA) Rupee
Fund. [More...]
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LTTE must lay down arms- Norway
Bandula Jayasekara in Colombo,
SLT 8.20 p.m Friday 14 March.
Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Vidar Helgesen said today that
the LTTE must finally lay down arms and there was a clear message from the
international community to the LTTE to lay down arms. Responding to a
question after he delivered a speech on 'Peace and Reconciliation' at the
International Institute of International Relations in Colombo Helgesen said
that the issue regarding decommissioning of weapons have not been discussed
at the peace talks so far but it would be taken up by the parties concerned.
He said, " We are not there yet. The issue of decommissioning and other
security issues would be taken up ultimately." He also added that the Sri
Lanka Monitoring Mission would be taking up the issue of LTTEs harassment of
political opponents. The Norwegian diplomat added, " Harassment of innocent
Tamils are not in line with the ceasefire agreement. It would be taken up
soon."
Published: Fri Mar 14 09:23:01 EST 2003
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Chandrika wants crucial issues taken up at peace talks
The Hindu (International),
Saturday, Mar 15, 2003.
By V.S. Sambandan, COLOMBO MARCH 14. The Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, has called upon her Government, the peace facilitators Norway and the international community, to take up "crucial issues of political settlement'' at the next round of talks between Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), to be held in Japan later this month.
At a meeting with the visiting Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgessen, Ms. Kumaratunga yesterday expressed concern over ``developments that raised questions about the willingness of the LTTE to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement".
A Presidential statement today said the concerns raised by Ms. Kumaratunga include "the continued smuggling of arms, the conscription of children, the LTTE's lack of commitment to human rights and the failure to begin any discussions yet on crucial issues of political settlement, while the LTTE continues to build its military strength".
More...
Published: Fri Mar 14 19:39:31 EST 2003
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