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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General lauds progress in Sri Lanka peace process

24 September 2002

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has welcomed the progress made in the Sri Lanka peace process. He reiterated his support for the ongoing peace talks when he met with Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Economic Reforms and Science and Technology of Sri Lanka, in London today.

The first round of the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) concluded in Thailand last week. The Secretary-General expressed the hope that the positive attitude maintained by both sides at the talks would result in a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

"The international community should do all it can to encourage the peace process in Sri Lanka and accelerate development assistance aimed at the resettlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons. The Commonwealth stands ready to assist the Government and the people of Sri Lanka in contributing to the peace-building effort," said Mr McKinnon.

Note to Editors:
The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE signed a peace agreement in February this year, facilitated by the Government of Norway. The first direct talks between the two sides since 1995 were held in September 2002. Subsequent rounds are scheduled for October and December this year, and January 2003.

Mr Moragoda is the co-leader of the government team in the peace talks.

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