Milinda joins Norway, Japan peace team in India
(By Ranga Sirilal)

Government peace negotiator Milinda Moragoda left for new Delhi to join two Norwegian facilitators and the Japanese Peace envoy to brief Indian leaders on the progress of the ongoing peace process, officials said.

Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgessen, peace envoy Eric Solheim and Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi were to arrive in New Delhi yesterday morning, the Prime Minister’s office said.

Among other topics, the delegation will brief the Indian leaders on the present situation with regard to the LTTE’s temporary withdrawal from the peace talks and the upcoming aid group meeting in Tokyo.

The four-member team is due to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow for intensive consultations with government and LTTE leaders.

Mr. Akashi is scheduled to meet LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in Killinochchi after which he is due to discuss matters with President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickermesinghe, Oppostion Leader Mahinda Rajapakse and Presidential Advisor Lakshman Kadirgamar.