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BBC-Sinhala
Sri Lanka U-turn on Norway role
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has asked Norway to continue mediating in peace efforts with Tamil rebels.
Mr Rajapakse made his request in talks with the Norwegian ambassador in Colombo, a government statement said.
The move came despite a recent election vow to review Norway's role and follows calls from key coalition allies for Oslo to be relieved of its duties.
Tensions have risen since Mr Rajapakse was elected last month, with the rebels blamed for two mine attacks on troops.
The army says 17 soldiers have died in attacks in the north since last Friday, 14 of them in separate mine blasts near Jaffna.
On Wednesday, at least one civilian was killed and seven others hurt in a grenade blast in the northern town of Vavuniya, police said.
The attack came at a crowded bus stop minutes after an army patrol had passed.
'Vote of confidence'
Mr Rajapakse also met representatives from the US, the EU and Japan - the three other "co-chairs" of the peace process.
He "briefed them on his ongoing consultations and preparatory work for the continuation of the peace process," the statement said.
There was no mention of his call for a revamp of the peace process, made in his first address to parliament after being elected.
Norway reacted positively to the request.
"This is a vote of confidence," said Erik Solheim, the international development minister who has been mediating for more than five years.
"But we want to make sure we agree with the government as well as with the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] on the conditions before we accept to take on that role again," he told the AFP news agency in Oslo.
Ally 'not happy'
The nationalist People's Liberation Front (JVP), which backs Mr Rajapakse, has accused the Norwegians of being pro-rebel in the past
On Wednesday, the party said it did not think Norway could continue to mediate in the peace process, at the same time as taking part in a Scandinavian team which monitors a truce agreed in 2002.
"The JVP is not happy with the way the Norwegians have conducted their role as mediators in the past," spokesman Wimal Weerawansa told a news conference.
But he added: "It is the decision of the president to decide upon the future role of Norway."
Norway accepts president's invitation
Norway has agreed to a request by Sri Lanka to relaunch peace talks between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels, but only if certain conditions are met.
Norway's Minister for International Development Erik Solheim reacted positively to the request but didn't elaborate on the conditions.
Listen to Erik Solheim interview
"We are glad and honoured that the President is putting such a trust on Norway," he said.
The minister, who has mediated between the two parties for the last five years, in an interview with BBC Sandeshaya said that he would discuss the conditions with the two parties and that Norway will be get involved as soon as the parties are ready.
He said, "the parties are in the driving seat, and Norway will assist if parties want to move towards peace".
Erik Solheim added that they have "no time to lose".
JVP- PM policy agreement
Following is the 12-point policy plan agreed by the JVP and PM Rajapakse:
01. It is hereby declared that the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure which was signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tamil Tiger Elam (herein after referred to as LTTE) on the 24th June 2005 the implementation of which has been already stayed by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and also was subject to much public criticism shall not reactivate, enforce or implement in whatsoever manner and for the purpose of accelerating, expediting and regularizing the provision of the necessary relief services to all the people affected by Tsunami, a new program shall be formulated as a priority task on reviewing the existing program and to activate it forthwith through the assistance and intervention of the government.
02. We believe that it is necessary to have negotiations not only with the LTTE but also with all other relevant parties to resolve Sri Lanka's national question and that without being agreed on such lasting solution it is agreed hereby not to grant Interim Self-governing Authority or any such political or administrative structure to LTTE or to hold negotiations with LTTE on that basis.
03. It is hereby agreed to protect, defend and preserve the unitary nature of the Sri Lankan State under any solutions to be presented, formed or formulated for the purpose of the resolution of Sri Lanka's national question.
04. It is agreed hereby that in considering the harmful and prejudicial effects and other serious implications of the Ceasefire Agreement that was entered and signed by the then Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE on 22nd February 2002, the said agreement shall be reviewed and revised fully and the said agreement shall be completely redone on removing and eliminating all the clauses which are prejudicial and harmful to the national security and foster and nurture separatism and are inconsistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
05. As it is axiomatic that Norway has shown unprecedented bias and partiality towards the LTTE in her role as a facilitator in the negotiation process between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE and in the monitoring mission of the Ceasefire Agreement and also as she has undoubtedly failed to act impartially in performing her obligations, it is agreed hereby to reconsider seriously whether the Norway should be allowed to engage in those activities further and the necessary actions shall be taken accordingly.
06. It is agreed hereby that the re-establishment and restoration of human rights, democracy and law and order which have become completely non-existing phenomena due to the terrorist activities of the LTTE in the North and Eastern provinces shall be considered as a prioritized task and also all the necessary and appropriate actions shall be taken to ensure to all democratic political parties to carry out their political activities without any impediments, to create an atmosphere for the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim peoples to live without any fears and perplexity and also to ensure that multi-party political system shall be restored in the said provinces.
07. The Executive Presidential System being most destructive and harmful to the democracy of Sri Lanka and having accepted its abolition as an essential priority task, it is hereby agreed to terminate the Executive Presidential System before the end of the tenure of office of the 6th Executive President which is to be commenced from the year 2005.
08. No party shall accept the so-called liberal open economic policy as Sri Lanka's national economic strategy nevertheless both parties shall agree that an economic policy aimed at strengthening and promoting national economy with equilibrium shall be adopted.
09. The harbors, seaports, airports, State commercial banks, the Petroleum Corporation, Ceylon Electricity Board and all other Government establishments and including water and mineral resources which are the nerve centers of the national economy shall not be privatized and also shall agree to abolish any such actions whatsoever taken so far towards privatization of the aforesaid institutions, services and resources.
10. The right to have free education shall be ensured and also any moves towards the privatization of education sector including the 'White Paper' presented by the United National Party in 1981 shall be abolished after comprehensive review and carefully considering the views of intellectuals, academics, teachers and students.
11. In resolving the problems faced by workers who contribute to the national production process, and the farmers, factory owners, entrepreneurs, business community and consumers who face hardships in view of soaring inflation, the proposals of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) shall be accepted and shall agree to act in conformity with that proposals.
12. Sri Lanka shall adopt non-aligned foreign policy and in particular shall be taken into account the regional and the Asian cooperation in revisiting the foreign policy.
Two killed, two injured in Muttur
Angry Muslims have attacked and killed two Tamil civilians at Thoppur, Muttur in the volatile eastern Sri Lanka.
Another civilian has been admitted to Trincomalee general hospital with serious injuries.
The attack was triggered after a regional organiser of the main opposition, United National Party (UNP), was admitted to hospital with serious gunshot injuries.
Police said the UNP organiser was shot by the 'pistol gang' of the Tamil Tigers.
The villagers have told the police that the suspected LTTE cadres fled to the rebel-controlled area after the shooting.
Trincomalee Lankadeepa correspondent Amadoru Amarajeeva told BBC Sandeshaya that the authorities have employed extra security personnel.
Trincomalee Superintendent of Police (SP) Kapila Jayasekara said the situation is now under control.
Grenade kills in Vavunia
A civilian died and seven, including a Sri Lanka Army soldier were injured in a bomb attack in Vavunia.
Police said that Subramaniam Yogapuththiram of Mankulam died on Wednesday afternoon when a grenade was lobbed from the top floor of the Vavunia bus station.
The grenade was aimed at a Sri Lankan Army Soldier passing by on a motorcycle, who went unhurt.
Divaina correspondent Dinasena Ratugamage reported that four of the injured were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (CSU) of the Vavunia hospital.
Local police authorities blamed the attack on Tamil Tigers, which was denied by LTTE media head Thaya Master in Kilinochchi.
Vavunia District Judge M Ilancheliyan who visited the scene of attack ordered the police to arrest suspects.
"Do not arrest civillians," he added.
Sri Lanka U-turn on Norway role
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse has asked Norway to continue mediating in peace efforts with Tamil rebels.
Mr Rajapakse made his request in talks with the Norwegian ambassador in Colombo, a government statement said.
The move came despite a recent election vow to review Norway's role and follows calls from key coalition allies for Oslo to be relieved of its duties.
Tensions have risen since Mr Rajapakse was elected last month, with the rebels blamed for two mine attacks on troops.
The army says 17 soldiers have died in attacks in the north since last Friday, 14 of them in separate mine blasts near Jaffna.
On Wednesday, at least one civilian was killed and seven others hurt in a grenade blast in the northern town of Vavuniya, police said.
The attack came at a crowded bus stop minutes after an army patrol had passed.
'Vote of confidence'
Mr Rajapakse also met representatives from the US, the EU and Japan - the three other "co-chairs" of the peace process.
He "briefed them on his ongoing consultations and preparatory work for the continuation of the peace process," the statement said.
There was no mention of his call for a revamp of the peace process, made in his first address to parliament after being elected.
Norway reacted positively to the request.
"This is a vote of confidence," said Erik Solheim, the international development minister who has been mediating for more than five years.
"But we want to make sure we agree with the government as well as with the LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] on the conditions before we accept to take on that role again," he told the AFP news agency in Oslo.
Ally 'not happy'
The nationalist People's Liberation Front (JVP), which backs Mr Rajapakse, has accused the Norwegians of being pro-rebel in the past
On Wednesday, the party said it did not think Norway could continue to mediate in the peace process, at the same time as taking part in a Scandinavian team which monitors a truce agreed in 2002.
"The JVP is not happy with the way the Norwegians have conducted their role as mediators in the past," spokesman Wimal Weerawansa told a news conference.
But he added: "It is the decision of the president to decide upon the future role of Norway."
Norway accepts president's invitation
Norway has agreed to a request by Sri Lanka to relaunch peace talks between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels, but only if certain conditions are met.
Norway's Minister for International Development Erik Solheim reacted positively to the request but didn't elaborate on the conditions.
Listen to Erik Solheim interview
"We are glad and honoured that the President is putting such a trust on Norway," he said.
The minister, who has mediated between the two parties for the last five years, in an interview with BBC Sandeshaya said that he would discuss the conditions with the two parties and that Norway will be get involved as soon as the parties are ready.
He said, "the parties are in the driving seat, and Norway will assist if parties want to move towards peace".
Erik Solheim added that they have "no time to lose".
JVP- PM policy agreement
Following is the 12-point policy plan agreed by the JVP and PM Rajapakse:
01. It is hereby declared that the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure which was signed between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tamil Tiger Elam (herein after referred to as LTTE) on the 24th June 2005 the implementation of which has been already stayed by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and also was subject to much public criticism shall not reactivate, enforce or implement in whatsoever manner and for the purpose of accelerating, expediting and regularizing the provision of the necessary relief services to all the people affected by Tsunami, a new program shall be formulated as a priority task on reviewing the existing program and to activate it forthwith through the assistance and intervention of the government.
02. We believe that it is necessary to have negotiations not only with the LTTE but also with all other relevant parties to resolve Sri Lanka's national question and that without being agreed on such lasting solution it is agreed hereby not to grant Interim Self-governing Authority or any such political or administrative structure to LTTE or to hold negotiations with LTTE on that basis.
03. It is hereby agreed to protect, defend and preserve the unitary nature of the Sri Lankan State under any solutions to be presented, formed or formulated for the purpose of the resolution of Sri Lanka's national question.
04. It is agreed hereby that in considering the harmful and prejudicial effects and other serious implications of the Ceasefire Agreement that was entered and signed by the then Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE on 22nd February 2002, the said agreement shall be reviewed and revised fully and the said agreement shall be completely redone on removing and eliminating all the clauses which are prejudicial and harmful to the national security and foster and nurture separatism and are inconsistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
05. As it is axiomatic that Norway has shown unprecedented bias and partiality towards the LTTE in her role as a facilitator in the negotiation process between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE and in the monitoring mission of the Ceasefire Agreement and also as she has undoubtedly failed to act impartially in performing her obligations, it is agreed hereby to reconsider seriously whether the Norway should be allowed to engage in those activities further and the necessary actions shall be taken accordingly.
06. It is agreed hereby that the re-establishment and restoration of human rights, democracy and law and order which have become completely non-existing phenomena due to the terrorist activities of the LTTE in the North and Eastern provinces shall be considered as a prioritized task and also all the necessary and appropriate actions shall be taken to ensure to all democratic political parties to carry out their political activities without any impediments, to create an atmosphere for the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim peoples to live without any fears and perplexity and also to ensure that multi-party political system shall be restored in the said provinces.
07. The Executive Presidential System being most destructive and harmful to the democracy of Sri Lanka and having accepted its abolition as an essential priority task, it is hereby agreed to terminate the Executive Presidential System before the end of the tenure of office of the 6th Executive President which is to be commenced from the year 2005.
08. No party shall accept the so-called liberal open economic policy as Sri Lanka's national economic strategy nevertheless both parties shall agree that an economic policy aimed at strengthening and promoting national economy with equilibrium shall be adopted.
09. The harbors, seaports, airports, State commercial banks, the Petroleum Corporation, Ceylon Electricity Board and all other Government establishments and including water and mineral resources which are the nerve centers of the national economy shall not be privatized and also shall agree to abolish any such actions whatsoever taken so far towards privatization of the aforesaid institutions, services and resources.
10. The right to have free education shall be ensured and also any moves towards the privatization of education sector including the 'White Paper' presented by the United National Party in 1981 shall be abolished after comprehensive review and carefully considering the views of intellectuals, academics, teachers and students.
11. In resolving the problems faced by workers who contribute to the national production process, and the farmers, factory owners, entrepreneurs, business community and consumers who face hardships in view of soaring inflation, the proposals of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) shall be accepted and shall agree to act in conformity with that proposals.
12. Sri Lanka shall adopt non-aligned foreign policy and in particular shall be taken into account the regional and the Asian cooperation in revisiting the foreign policy.
Two killed, two injured in Muttur
Angry Muslims have attacked and killed two Tamil civilians at Thoppur, Muttur in the volatile eastern Sri Lanka.
Another civilian has been admitted to Trincomalee general hospital with serious injuries.
The attack was triggered after a regional organiser of the main opposition, United National Party (UNP), was admitted to hospital with serious gunshot injuries.
Police said the UNP organiser was shot by the 'pistol gang' of the Tamil Tigers.
The villagers have told the police that the suspected LTTE cadres fled to the rebel-controlled area after the shooting.
Trincomalee Lankadeepa correspondent Amadoru Amarajeeva told BBC Sandeshaya that the authorities have employed extra security personnel.
Trincomalee Superintendent of Police (SP) Kapila Jayasekara said the situation is now under control.
Grenade kills in Vavunia
A civilian died and seven, including a Sri Lanka Army soldier were injured in a bomb attack in Vavunia.
Police said that Subramaniam Yogapuththiram of Mankulam died on Wednesday afternoon when a grenade was lobbed from the top floor of the Vavunia bus station.
The grenade was aimed at a Sri Lankan Army Soldier passing by on a motorcycle, who went unhurt.
Divaina correspondent Dinasena Ratugamage reported that four of the injured were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (CSU) of the Vavunia hospital.
Local police authorities blamed the attack on Tamil Tigers, which was denied by LTTE media head Thaya Master in Kilinochchi.
Vavunia District Judge M Ilancheliyan who visited the scene of attack ordered the police to arrest suspects.
"Do not arrest civillians," he added.