Press release by SCOPP
07 February 2003

 
The fifth meeting of the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commenced this morning (7th February) in the Norwegian quarter of the Nordic Embassy Complex in Berlin, Germany.

The government delegation was headed by Hon. Prof. G.L.Peiris, and includes Hon. Milinda Moragoda, Hon. Rauf Hakeem and Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke, while the LTTE delegation was headed by Mr. Anton Balasingham, and included Mr. S.P. Tamilselvan, Mr. Muralitharan (Karuna) and Mrs. Adele Balasingham.

In the first sitting this morning, the progress report from the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs for the North and East (SIHRN) was presented to the Plenary Committee. The significant progress achieved by the Sub-Committee in the period under review was appreciated by the delegations. The delegations also acknowledged the support extended to the activities of SIHRN by government institutions.

Finality was reached on outstanding matters relating to the establishment of the North and East Reconstruction Fund (NERF). The Fund is expected to be operational by early next week. Externalities that could have a bearing on donor commitments were discussed and the parties agreed to expedite necessary matters in this regard.

The issue of underage recruitment by the LTTE was discussed in an atmosphere of concern and commitment to address the problem. The parties welcomed the recent initiatives taken by UNICEF. Furthermore, practical measures to address the issue were discussed by the parties and agreement was reached to request the facilitation of UNICEF in developing and monitoring such activities in association with the Government and the LTTE.