This press release has been issued by the Royal Netherlands Embassy Colombo

14 december 2004

December 14, 2004 representatives of three of the four co-chairs of the Tokyo Donors Conference, Japan, the European Union and the United States called on Her Excellency President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

The Co-chair representatives, while reaffirming their support of the President's efforts to resume peace talks, expressed deep concern about the ongoing JVP-led actions against the peace process in Sri Lanka and the Government of Norway's as facilitator of that process.

The representatives expressed bewilderment that a member party of the UPFA could engage in such a campaign in absolute contradiction of the clearly stated position of the President and the Government that they endorse and support the Norwegian role and urged the President to address the problem. The representatives reiterated to President Kumaratunga their full support for the peace process in Sri Lanka and Norway's efforts as a facilitator.