Norwegian peace envoy arrives in Colombo on decisive peace bid

Colombo, May 24 (UNI) Norwegian special peace envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer today arrived in Sri Lanka, ahead of the visit by Norwegian Minister for International Development, to pursue the LTTE to get back to the negotiating table at the earliest, the Sri Lankan government said.

Addressing a media briefing, defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that although the government had done its part to resume the direct talks with the Tamil Tigers, there was no positive signal from the LTTE in this regard.

''It is now a well-known factor to the national and international community that the government has done their part of endeavour in relation to move the peace process forward further. However, since there is not much of favourable response from the LTTE, the parties concerned, particularly the co-chairs, the Norwegian facilitators are in Sri Lanka in order to proceed to Kilinochchi and discuss matters with the LTTE and inform the government and advance the process,'' Mr Rambukwella told reporters.

UNI XC SHB MSJ BST2216