January 25, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 21, 1423

COLOMBO, Jan 24: The venue for the fifth session of direct talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE has been shifted from Thailand to Berlin, Norwegian embassy officials said on Friday. The talks are to be held at Norway’s embassy on Feb 7 and 8.

The change of the venue became necessary after the LTTE chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, informed the Sri Lankan government that he was unable to travel from Britain, where he is based, to Thailand due to his poor health.

Recognizing the importance of adequate consultations within the LTTE for progress in the peace talks, the parties agreed to limit the duration of the fifth session of talks in Germany to two days, Norwegian officials said.

The parties intend to begin consultations on matters relating to human rights, with the participation of Mr Ian Martin, the former head of Amnesty International, as a resource person on the subject.

Norwegian embassy officials said representatives of their government would be present, as at previous sessions, as facilitators.