Norwegian envoy arrives in SL as fighting rages

Colombo, Aug 4: Top Norwegian peace envoy, Jon Hanssen Bauer, arrived in Colombo this morning as the fierce fighting between the Government troops and the Tamil Tiger rebels continues to rage in the restive eastern Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, seriously questioning the operational aspects of the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire agreement.

''Mr Bauer is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and head of the Government Peace Secretariat, Dr Palitha Kohona, today,'' a Government official said.

According to the official the discussions with the Government leaders would focus mainly on the current escalation of violence and the war-like situation in the country, in addition to the matters pertaining to pulling out of the EU members from the Nordic truce monitoring mission.

It is not immediately clear whether the visiting Norwegian envoy would meet President Mahinda Rajapakse during his week long stay in Colombo.

When contacted LTTE's media co-ordinator, Daya Master, said Mr Bauer would meet LTTE's political wing head, S P Thamilselvan during the weekend.

''The Norwegian envoy will be coming to the Wanni tomorrow evening and is likely to stay in Kilinochchi for a couple of days. During his stay in Kilinochchi he will hold talks with Mr Thamilselvan,'' Daya Master told UNI over the phone from the rebel-held Wanni.

At least ten Muslim civilians were killed several more wounded during a crossfire in the Muslim-dominated Muttur area, where the high-intensity fighting to gain control of the town is still underway. Residents in the Trincomalee town said over the phone that concentrated shelling was heard throughout the night.

Over 40 wounded civilians were evacuated last evening with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

''Today we are holding a discussion with the Defence Ministry officials for creation of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate the wounded people and other civilians in danger from Muttur,'' ICRC spokesman, W Sukumar Rockwood said.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapakse is holding an All Party Conference (APC) at the Janathipathi Manthiraya here today to discuss the security situation and the peace process.

UNI