29 December 2005 Minster of International Development Erik Solheim to visit Sri Lanka from 23 to 26 January 2006 Norway has been asked by the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers to continue its role as facilitator in the peace process in Sri Lanka. The Minister of International Development is in charge of Norway’s efforts and will travel to Sri Lanka to explore how the process can be moved forward. During his visit he will have talks with both parties. "I am deeply concerned about the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka," said Mr Solheim. "In order to keep the violence from escalating further, it is urgent to get the two parties to sit down together to discuss how to ensure that the Ceasefire Agreement is observed and how the peace process can be advanced." ---------------------------- 27 December 2005 Statement by Minister of International Development Erik Solheim Minister of International Development Erik Solheim expressed in a statement today his Government's deep concern about the recent increase in violence in Sri Lanka. "The high level of violence and the tragic loss of life are putting the Ceasefire Agreement at risk and will make it very difficult to secure further progress in the peace process," said Mr Solheim. Today's claymore ambush on a Sri Lankan vehicle in Jaffna, the killings of Sri Lankan Navy sailors in Mannar on 23 December, the shooting of civilians near Jaffna University, numerous other attacks on military personnel and civilians, violence against Muslims and the assassination of parliamentarian Joseph Parajasingham during Mass on Christmas Eve are terrible and tragic events. Mr Solheim said that all acts of violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Mr Solheim stressed that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Missions is carrying out its responsibilities under very difficult circumstances and expressed his appreciation for the work the mission is doing. The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have the responsibility for safeguarding the Ceasefire Agreement. The two parties to the CFA must meet urgently to discuss ways and means to strengthen the implementation of the Agreement. The focus should now be on the need to stop the bloodshed and prevent further loss of life. The CFA must be upheld to prevent the further escalation of violence. The GOSL and the LTTE should put aside the discussion on venue and meet face to face as soon as possible. "The venue for a meeting is of no importance to Norway. What is important to us is that the GOSL and the LTTE  meet as soon as possible to discuss the CFA and the recent tragic and dangerous developments. There is no time to lose," said Mr Solheim. --------------------------- 24 December 2005 The Tokyo Co-Chairs (US, Norway, Japan and the EU) met at high level in Brussels on 19 December 2005. The Co-Chairs requested that their local Heads of Mission to meet key Sri Lankan partners to explain and clarify the Co-Chairs public statement. To this end, the local Heads of Mission of the EU, Norway and Japan today met with Mr. S. Thamilchelvan. This meeting took place with the full support of the government. The messages communicated were tough and reflected those in the Co-Chairs public statement. The Co-Chairs expressed their deep concern about the recent escalation of violence. Sri Lanka faces a crucial choice today between mounting violence and reinvigorating peace. The Sri Lankan people clearly want peace – it would be a tragic step backwards if their desire was not heeded. The urgency of LTTE agreeing to hold talks on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement was particularly stressed by the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs will speak frankly to all parties to the conflict as they maintain their balanced and impartial effort to help the Sri Lankan people maintain the ceasefire agreement and to reinvigorate the peace process. ---------------------------- 19 December 2005 Co-chairs meeting - final statement The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference met in Brussels on 19 December 2005 to review the situation in Sri Lanka. A representative of the Indian Government met separately with the Co-Chairs for an exchange of views. The Co-Chairs note that Sri Lanka is facing a crucial choice between increased violence and re-invigorating the peace process. The prospects for long-term peace lie in the hands of the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan people want peace. A failure to respond to this desire would be a tragic step backward.

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15 December 2005

Joint statement Norway and Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera met with the Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, this evening in Hong Kong. The Ministers held wide ranging discussions on bilateral relations between the two countries including matters related to the Norwegian facilitation in the Sri Lankan peace process.

Minister Samaraweera, reiterated the new President’s commitment to the peace process and the role of Norway as the facilitator. The Sri Lankan minister also discussed operational modalities for the resumption of talks.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomed the commitment demonstrated by the Sri Lankan government to move the peace process forward. Mr. Støre underlined that the new Norwegian Government is fully committed to engage as a facilitator.

The ministers look forward to an early visit by Norwegian Minister of Development Mr Erik Solheim, to Sri Lanka to initiate the resumption of talks with the GOSL and the LTTE. The composition of the Norwegian team, including a Special Envoy, will be announced shortly.

The Ministers were optimistic that talks on the strengthening of the implementation and effective monitoring of the ceasefire can commence early next year. 

Hong Kong
15 December 2005

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9 December 2005

Norway funds flood relief

The Norwegian government has decided to reallocate approximately 3 million rupees to benefit families victimized by the recent heavy rain and flooding in the Vanni. The relief is channelled through the Norwegian NGO FORUT.

- I am glad we can assist the people who have lost their homes and belongings during the recent torrential rain, Norwegian ambassador Hans Brattskar said. He is currently on a visit to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi.

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7 December 2005

The Norwegian government is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in the north and east. Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar will visit Jaffna and Vanni on 8 and 9 December, to have meetings with the Government Agent, representatives of the Army and with the SLMM in Jaffna, and with the Head of the LTTE Political Wing Mr Tamilselvan in Vanni. Ambassador Brattskar will also visit a number of post-tsunami projects funded by Norway.

Following the presidential election, Norway expressed willingness to continue to facilitate the peace process if both parties, the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, request us to do so, and after consultations on our role with the parties in Sri Lanka at a political level. Pending such consultations, Ambassador Brattskar visits Jaffna and Vanni in his capacity as ambassador to Sri Lanka, and not as the representative of the facilitator to the peace process. He will therefore not be carrying messages between the two parties in the peace process, until consultations on the future Norwegian role has taken place.

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18 November 2005

Norwegian Minister of International Development Congratulates Sri Lankan President-Elect Mahinda Rajapakse

Norwegian Minister of International Development Erik Solheim warmly congratulates Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on his election as President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Solheim said that "the Norwegian government looks forward to continuing our closecooperation with the new president and the Government of Sri Lanka in a wide range of areas,including support for efforts to achieve a lasting peace that inspires confidence in all Sri Lankans."

Noting that Mr. Rajapakse had received a mandate from voters to work towards a negotiated political settlement of the conflict, Solheim extended assurances of strong international support as the new president grasps the key challenges of preserving the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and taking forward the peace process.

"The Government of Norway is deeply committed to promoting peace and reconciliation internationally," Solheim said. "Norway remains willing to facilitate the peace process in Sri Lanka for as long as the two parties request such assistance, and for as long as it is possible for Norway to play a constructive role."

Solheim has responsibility for support for the peace process within the Norwegian government.

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Norway Allocates US $ 26 million for emergency relief in Pakistan

27 October 2005

 On Thursday 26 October the Norwegian Parliament allocated an additional US$ 26 millon for relief efforts in Pakistan. International Development Minister Erik Solheim is concerned that the tragic situation in the wake of the earthquake in Pakistan may deteriorate into one of the greatest humanitarian crises we have faced.

- Winter is approaching. The relief workers are fighting against the clock. We all have an obligation to do whatever we can to save lives, said Mr Solheim. Mr. Solheim is currently visiting the areas that have been affected by the Pakistan earthquake.

The Norwegian funds will be channelled mainly through the UN, the Red Cross and NGOs with local knowledge that are able to operate under difficult conditions. Children, women and other vulnerable groups will be given priority in the relief efforts.

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Norway to assist ILO in tsunami rehabilitation work

10 0ctober 2005

The Norwegian government has provided  the International Labour Organization (ILO) with Rs. 180 million to speed up the tsunami rehabilitation work in Sri Lanka. Norway, in co-operation with ILO,  aims to contribute to social and economic reconstruction and poverty reduction in tsunami affected communities.

With the Norwegian financial assistance ILO will strengthen the coordination and monitoring mechanism set up by Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN). TAFREN has, with the support of ILO, UNDP and the World Bank, prepared an “Income Recovery Technical Assistance Program (IRTAP)” which includes temporary income transfer scheme, cash for work and and support to revive and improve economic activities. 

This project would provide technical assistance to TAFREN for coordination of the livelihood component of Government of Sri Lanka 's back to work program, and it would increase the institutional capacity of TAFREN to implement the income recovery program at national, district and divisional level.

“We see the necessity to speed up the tsunami reconstruction work and are happy to contribute to  TAFREN’s efforts for social- and economic reconstruction and poverty reduction", says ambassador Hans Brattskar.

Major activities of the project include staff training, introduction of procedures and guidelines, setting up a management information system, employment of temporary staff, procurement of computer equipment, vehicles and motor bikes, research and studies, database development and publications.
This project will be implemented during a 12 month period in 2005 and 2006.

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 Visit of Major General (ret’d) Trond Furuhovde

07 October 2005

Major General (ret’d) Trond Furuhovde, former head of mission of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, will visit Sri Lanka from 10  to 18 October as a Special Representative of the Royal Norwegian Government. Furuhovde will consult with representatives of both the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), seeking their views on the status of the security situation and the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Furuhovde will also meet with representatives of the Muslim Peace Secretariat and the Tokyo Co-chairs.

As a meeting between the GOSL and the LTTE to discuss the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement is not likely to occur in the near future, the visit is an opportunity for both parties to propose measures for strengthening the implementation of the agreement.

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The Norway grants support to the Peace Secretariat for Muslims

26 September 2005

The Norwegian government has granted 23,9 million Rupees in support to The Peace Secretariat for Muslims (PSM). The PSM will facilitate dialogue and build consensus among Muslim political parties and interest groups, in order to develop a coordinated position for Muslims as input to the implementation of the cease-fire agreement and in future peace negotiations. The Peace Secretariat for Muslims will also function as a resource centre, and aims to undertake research and develop frameworks for peace building and constitutional questions as well as contribute to capacity building among Muslim representatives in connection to the peace process.

"We consider the PSM a positive and constructive initiative for creating a common Muslim platform for promoting Muslim interests in the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka and we are happy to support it's important work", says ambassador Hans Brattskar.  

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Statement of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs
19 September 2005

The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference in support of the peace process in Sri Lanka met in New York on 19 September to discuss the current situation in Sri Lanka, following the assassination of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Kadirgamar.

The Co-Chairs reiterate their unequivocal condemnation of the assassination of the Foreign Minister. This unconscionable act of terrorism casts profound doubt on the commitment of those responsible to a peaceful and political resolution of the conflict.

The Co-Chairs call on the LTTE to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. An immediate end to political assassinations by the LTTE and an end to LTTE recruitment of child soldiers are two such steps.

The Co-Chairs believe that the peace process between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is facing its most serious challenge since the Ceasefire Agreement came into force in February 2002. The Ceasefire Agreement remains the essential anchor of the peace process and is put at grave risk by the continuing violence. Effective implementation of the agreement is the responsibility of the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE.

The Co-Chairs commend the Government of Sri Lanka for its restraint following the assassination of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar and for its willingness to discuss the Ceasefire Agreement with the LTTE. The Co-Chairs are disappointed that the LTTE have not agreed to the proposed venue for talks with the Government of Sri Lanka about implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. The Co-Chairs urge both parties to engage constructively with special representative of Norway, Major General Furuhovde, during his planned visit in October to find practical ways of improving implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.

The Co-Chairs deplore the activities of paramilitary groups, which fuel the cycle of violence and unrest. The Co-Chairs underscore the responsibility of the Sri Lankan government under the Ceasefire Agreement to disarm or relocate these groups from the north and east.

The future of Sri Lanka lies in the hands of the people of Sri Lanka. The forthcoming elections are a time of political choice in Sri Lanka. It is natural that there will be vigorous debate on the best way forward in the peace process. The Co-Chairs look to all parties to refrain from violence and from statements and acts that could undermine progress toward the peaceful resolution of the conflict after the elections.

The Co-Chairs hope that the peace process will be reinvigorated following the elections. The Co-Chairs reiterate that a peaceful resolution of the conflict can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement that follows the principles agreed in Oslo in December 2002 to explore a solution based on a federal model within a united Sri Lanka, and which ensures democracy and full respect for human rights and the legitimate rights of all ethnic groups.

Nearly a year has passed since the tsunami, and the Co-Chairs reiterate that the international community remains fully committed to implementing the pledges made for tsunami reconstruction. Cooperation between the Sri Lankan government, the LTTE and the Muslim community will be important for sustainable recovery in the north and east.

Finally, the Co-Chairs wish to thank outgoing Norwegian Foreign Minister Petersen and Deputy Minister Helgesen for their tireless efforts at facilitating the peace process in Sri Lanka. We reaffirm our strong support to Norway as facilitator.

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09 September 2005

Norway sends special representative to Sri Lanka

The Norwegian Government is deeply concerned by the continuing violence in Sri Lanka over the past months, which is undermining the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).As facilitator, Norway has sought for the past three weeks to convene a meeting between the parties, at their request, to discuss implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement. We note with regret that the LTTE has not accepted the Norwegian proposal for a venue, while the GOSL has done so.
The Government has decided to send retired Major General Trond Furuhovde, former Head of Mission of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, to Sri Lanka within the next month as its special representative. Major General Furuhovde will consult with both parties on the security situation and the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement.
Norway will also host an extraordinary meeting of the Sri Lanka co-chairs (the USA, the EU (the European Commission and the UK EU Presidency), Japan and Norway in New York on 19 September. The aim of this meeting is to address the need to strengthen respect for the Ceasefire Agreement in the increasingly difficult security situation.

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14 August 2005

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jan Petersen, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vidar Helgesen, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday 15 August to attend the State funeral of the late Foreign Minister, the Hon. Lakshman Kadirgmar.

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12 August 2005

Assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister

- This is an atrocious crime, and a tragedy for Sri Lanka, says Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen.

- I condemn this killing of a very important politician and a respected representative of his country.

- I would like to express my condolences to his family, to Her Excellency President Chandrika Kumaratunga, to the Government of Sri Lanka and to the Sri Lankan people. The killing puts the peace process in Sri Lanka to a serious test. It is now vital that both parties to the conflict do their utmost to comply with the cease-fire agreement, says the Minister.

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3 August 2005

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Helgesen, to visit Sri Lanka 4-7 August

Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vidar Helgesen, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Thursday 4 August for a four day routine visit.

He will have meetings with President Kumaratunga, representatives of the Government and with the LTTE. He will also meet with other political leaders.

In addition to the meetings in Colombo and Kilinochchi, Mr Helgesen will travel to Galle and Matara during his stay in Sri Lanka.

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22 June 2005

NORWAY SUPPORTS FISHERMEN IN THE EAST

Norway has allocated another 300 million rupees to the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. A substantial proportion of these new funds will be earmarked for the fishermen in Ampara District. The new allocation will fund the replacement and repair of boats destroyed or damaged by the tsunami.

- We are very pleased to be able to contribute to restoring livelihoods of the Ampara fishermen, Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vidar Helgesen, said during a visit to Kalmunai on Wednesday.

The new allocation of funds comes in addition to the 755 million rupees already pledged by Norway for the fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. Norway has already funded the repair of boats and the replacement of fishing nets in tsunami-affected communities in the South, East and North of the country. With the new allocation, the total Norwegian contribution to the fisheries sector comes to more than 1 billion rupees. Further Norwegian funding will be made possible as soon as the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) becomes operational.

- I see P-TOMS as vital to secure rapid reconstruction and development in Ampara District, Mr Helgesen said.

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17 June 2005

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Helgesen, to visit Sri Lanka 20-24 June

Norwegian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Vidar Helgesen, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday 20 June for a five day visit.

He will have meetings with President Kumaratunga, representatives of the Government and with the LTTE. He will also meet with representatives from other political parties and civil society.

Mr Helgesen will also meet with the Muslim community in Kalmunai and visit tsunami-affected areas in Ampara district.

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16 May 2005

Henrik Ibsen staged for the first time in Sinhala – and book launch

Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen’s famous play The Master Builder is now being staged for the first time ever in Sinhala. At the same time, books with translations into Sinhala and Tamil of three of Ibsen’s most well-known plays, The Master Builder, Hedda Gabler and Pillars of Society, will be launched. This is the first time that these plays are translated into Sinhala and Tamil. The book launch and the theatre performance will take place in Bishop’s College Auditorium, Colombo, on Friday 20 May from 5.15 pm onwards. The event is organised by the Platform for Alternate Culture and supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo.

- It gives me a great pleasure to see that a play by Henrik Ibsen is being staged in Sri Lanka, and in the Sinhala language. The translation of three of Ibsen’s most groundbraking plays and the staging of one of them in Colombo give the people of Sri Lanka an opportunity to get to know Ibsen and his works better and to enhance their understanding of Norwegian culture, the Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar says.

Henrik Ibsen (1828 - 1906) is one of the very greatest names in world literature. He was a central figure in the modern break-through in the intellectual life of Europe, and is considered the father of modern drama. His plays are still highly topical, and continue to be staged in all parts of the world. It is said that Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. In 2006 it will be one hundred years since the death of Henrik Ibsen. In co-operation with cultural institutions in Norway and abroad there are comprehensive plans for extensive national and international commemoration of this event.

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12 May 2005

Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar is visiting Tsunami affected areas in Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts on the 12th May to see some of the Norwegian supported Boat and engine repair stations in Point Pedro, Munai and Aaliawalay. A.J. Fishing Industries Ltd. with the support of Coastal Campaign Norway and the Norwegian Government operates 6 repair stations in the North in the areas such as Munai, Mathagal, Polykandy, Manalkadu, Aathikovilady, Chundikulam. More than 300 boats have already been repaired by these stations.

Up to now, Norway has approved Rs. 850 million to rehabilitate the fisheries industry in all Tsunami affected districts in Sri Lanka. Major part of this support will be utilised to repair boats and engines and to provide nets and other equipment for fishermen to be back in the sea.

Ambassador Brattskar will also discuss about the Norwegian supported school rehabilitation programme in Mullaitivu, implemented by the Norwegian Refugee Council.

On the Post Tsunami Rehabilitation Task, Norway’s main concerns are to see that the fishermen back to sea and the children back to schools says the Ambassador.

During his visit he will also have discussions with LTTE in Killinochchi.

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5 MAY 2005

There have been reports in the media claiming that a vehicle belonging to the Norwegian Embassy is being used as an ambulance by a registered local NGO. This is not correct. No car belonging to this Embassy is being used for such a purpose.

A Member of Parliament made a statement yesterday commenting on these incorrect media reports. The Embassy will therefore send him an invitation for a meeting to discuss this matters and his comments in parliament. The Embassy will keep the media informed about the outcome of this meeting.

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28 April 2005

NORWEGIAN TSUNAMI RELIEF AID TO SRI LANKA.

Norway has allocated approximately 1.7 billion Rps for post tsunami relief work in Sri Lanka. The Norwegian aid is utilised to support relief and rehabilitation projects in affected areas in the south, the east and the north.

“ The human suffering caused by the tsunami has had a tremendous impact on us all. We hope our contribution to the relief efforts can help make a better life for those affected by this terrible natural disaster”, says ambassador Brattskar.

Out of the 1.7 billion 906 million Rps is for immediate humanitarian relief, whereas approximately 800 million Rps is for short and medium term development projects. The humanitarian aid has been utilised mainly in the following sectors: temporary shelter, water and sanitation, distribution of food and non-food items, medicine and education materials. 

Norway has also allocated approximately 800 million Rps to the UN’s flash appeal channelled through UNDP, FAO and WHO.

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27 April 2005

Visit to Vocational Training Center, Hatton

Mr. Hans Brattskar, ambassador of Norway, is today, 27 April, making a visit to Hatton Vocational Training Center managed by the Vocational Training Authority under the Ministry of Skills Development, Technical and Vocational Education.

The Government of Norway has supported the construction and the establishment of the Center with a total of LKR 130 million. The project is supported to provide opportunities for youth from the tea plantation areas to enhance their skills for potential employment or self-employment.  The construction of this Vocational Training Center in Hatton was completed in 2000 and has been functioning from then onwards.

During this visit the ambassador will have discussions with the Chairman of the Vocational Training Authority and other officials at the training center to assess its performance.  “It is promising to see how this vocational training center has been able to empower the youth in the tea-plantation area”, said ambassador Brattskar.

During this visit ambassador Brattskar will also visit Hatton Sri Manikapilliar Kovil, a historic Hindu temple in Hatton.

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24 APRIL 2005

Norwegian Ambassador visited Sigiriya

Norwegian ambassador to Colombo, Hans Brattskar, visited Sigiriya on Sunday 24th April 2005. The objective of his visit was to see the ongoing activities of the Central Cultural Fund project on preservation, information and monitoring changes of World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka financed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Rs.18 million has been granted for this programme.

At Sigiriya the ambassador had a meeting with the officials of the Central Cultural Fund and discussed the progress of the ongoing project. “Norway is very pleased to contribute to the preservation of the astonishing Sigiriya World Heritage Site”, said ambassador Brattskar.

The main goal of the Central Cultural Fund programme is to elaborate a unified presentation and information programme and to establish a programme for monitoring and recording changes of World Cultural Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. This program covers the World Heritage sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, Sigiriya, and Kandy.

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15 APRIL 2005

Special Adviser Erik Solheim will make a routine visit to Sri Lanka 17th- 21st April. He will meet with government officials in Colombo and with the LTTE. The discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE will encompass the possible joint-mechanism for post-tsunami reconstruction and relevant matters with regard to the peace process.

Mr. Solheim plans to go to Puttalam Sunday 17th April to meet with representatives of the displaced Muslim community and to Batticaloa 19th April to get a first-hand impression of the present security situation and post-tsunami challenges. As during all previous visits, Mr. Solheim will meet with political actors, local civil society representatives and representatives of donor countries to get an up-date on the political situation and the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts.

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15 March 2005

The Norwegian embassy categorically denies that Norway has conveyed a warning to the Government of Sri Lanka and international donors that it is considering a suspension of its role as facilitator to the Peace Process. Local media refers to anonymous “sources”. We can only assume that these so-called sources neither wish the post-tsunami rebuilding efforts or the Peace Process well.

We expect that serious media outlets in the future will check these kinds of outrageous claims with the embassy prior to publication.

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18 February 2005

Mr Erik Solheim to visit Sri Lanka 21-28 February 2005

Mr Erik Solheim, Special Advisor to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday 21 February for one of his regular visits to the island.

He will have meetings with President Kumaratunga, representatives of the Government and with the leader of the LTTE Political Wing, Mr Tamilselvan. He will also meet with representatives from other political parties.

Mr Solheim will participate in celebrations of the third anniversary of the Cease-Fire Agreement in Colombo on 22 February.

Furthermore, Mr Solheim will visit areas heavily affected by the tsunami, in Galle, Matara, Ampara and Jaffna districts. He will also visit Kandy.

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15 February 2005

Bata Atha Leather Complex Project in the Hambantota District

During the last few weeks the Sri Lanka newspapers has published certain information on the Bata Atha Leather Complex project in Hambantota district. These reports have given the impression to the public that the Norwegian government had initiated this project. This is not correct and the Norwegian Embassy therefore would like to provide facts about the Bata Atha Leather Complex project.

The project was initiated by the PA Government in 1998 to assist the leather industry in Sri Lanka to sustain and expand its activities while protecting the environment. The project was initiated by the then Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and Industrial Development. The total cost of the project was estimated to be Rs. 220 million in 1998.

The Government of Sri Lanka requested the Norwegian government to contribute to the environmental part of the project. The Norwegian contribution was Rs. 70 million, merely 30 % of the total cost. This amount was provided to construct a common effluent treatment plant for the leather complex at Bata Atha in order to protect the environment by cleaning the wast water from the tanneries.

The project was supposed to be a public private partnership. The Government of Sri Lanka has provided Rs. 50 million for the provision of  electricity, water, roadways and land development of the industrial site at Bata Atha in Hambantota. A private venture of leather companies (SLAT) has agreed to contribute Rs.100 million to relocate the privately owned industries.

This project was therefore not initiated by Norway and it is certainly no Norwegian commercial interests involved. Norway has been involved by providing funds for the establisment of a waste water treatment plant only, in order to protect the environment in Hambantota.

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15 January 2005

Foreign Minister Jan Petersen and Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson will visit Sri Lanka 20 - 23 January to assess the damage and the needs of the people of Sri Lanka after the tsunami disaster.  The two ministers plan to visit Hambantota and Mullaitivu to study the ground situation and to gain a first hand impression of how the relief work is proceeding for the people struck by the greatest natural disaster in the history of Sri Lanka.

The Norwegian government has granted 183 million USD to the region and has named Sri Lanka a major recipient. Norway will work through international agencies, local non-governmental organisations and Norwegian organisastions in order to meet the immediate needs as well as to contribute to the reconstruction of the hard-hit areas.  

Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen and Special Adviser Erik Solheim will also take part in the visit.

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4 January 2005

Additional NOK 1 billion for relief work in Asia

The Government will propose to the Storting that an additional NOK 1 billion be granted for relief work following the tsunami disaster in South East Asia. These will be additional funds and will not affect other parts of the international development budget or the budget of other ministries.

During a meeting with the parliamentary leaders at the Storting yesterday it became clear that the Government will have the full support of all parties for the proposal. This relief aid will come on top of the NOK 100 million that has already been made available to the UN and other organisations for their work in the disaster areas.

“The humanitarian needs are enormous. We therefore wish to grant an additional NOK 1 billion in fresh funds both for immediate disaster relief and for reconstruction in the areas that have been affected by the tsunami. We will give priority to the areas that are most affected and where Norway is in a particularly good position to help,” said Minister of International Development Hilde F. Johnson.

New meeting with humanitarian organisations.

Today the International Development Minister met with 16 humanitarian organisations and other relevant actors involved in the disaster relief work following the natural disaster in South East Asia to discuss further Norwegian humanitarian assistance.

“I am extremely pleased by the voluntary contributions that the Norwegian people have already made. Still, I hope and believe that this amount will increase in the days to come, because all the support that can be mobilised is needed,” said the Minister.