Only ancillary issues to be discussed in Oslo

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

The Oslo talks would prioritise several ancillary things like the role of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and would not talk about the Cease-Fire Agreement or the peace process, said Peace Secretariat Head Dr. Palitha Kohona at a function held at the Gramodaya Center, Kollupitiya to set up a new media coordinating unit last week. The new unit was set up to disseminate accurate information relating to defence matters.

"We are discussing the possibility of going to Oslo next week to resume further talks with the LTTE. But we must not get carried away too much whilst in Oslo." He said the government would talk to the LTTE even on ancillary matters. "We will continue to talk and will pressure the LTTE to come to talks.

I hope sooner or later the LTTE would accept our invitation and would join us at the Geneva talks." Dr. Kohona said despite what happened during the last three or four weeks, the peace process will continue. Referring to the new media unit he said the new media centre will render a valuable service to convey government information to the international and local news media.

Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Daya Sandagiri said the media co-ordinating unit was formed on a concept of President Mahinda Rajapakse to provide accurate information to the media on time. The setting up of a media unit was expedited due to the untiring efforts taken by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Minister Rambukwella said the setting up of the media unit would facilitate media personnel to receive accurate information without a hassle. Steps will be taken to upgrade the unit and provide information to media personnel. "Initially there would be teething problems but we hope to overcome them." He thanked the President for giving the green light to ahead with the project. However on certain section of the media was in the habit of distorting news reports to suit their own agenda, he said.