August 30, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-us-Saani 20, 1423

COLOMBO, Aug 29: The Sri Lankan government and the LTTE will exchange prisoners of war here on Saturday.

The LTTE will swap seven military servicemen held as prisoners of war for nearly 10 years, while the government will release 23 LTTE fighters, sources said on Thursday.

Mrs Vishaka Dharmadasa, head of the Association of War Effected Women, consisting of mothers of soldiers missing in action, said that the LTTE had acknowledged a letter sent by her requesting a meeting with the LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran.

The meeting will help find out the exact number of servicemen held by the LTTE.

REACTION: The government’s decision to lift the ban on the LTTE received mixed reactions. The ban is likely to go on Sept 6.

However, sections of the Buddhist clergy said that they would protest against the decision.

A survey carried out by the National Peace Council, a non- governmental organization, reveals that a large majority of people support peace efforts with the LTTE.