Jaffna still under siege as peace brokers arrive

Heavy hand-to-hand fighting raged in the Chavakachechri area during the weekend, the statement said.

Countering LTTE claims that rebels were firing artillery shells at Palaly airbase and Kankesanthurai port, the only supply routes for the Jaffna peninsula, it said that navy and the airforce continued to ferry supplies to the troops and civilians.

LTTE on Saturday claimed to have captured the Chavakachechri town. But the Sri Lankan Government denied the LTTE’s claim saying their troops were engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle with the rebels near the town.

Meanwhile, a Norwegian peace delegation began talks with Sri Lankan officials today in an effort to broker a peace agreement.

Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Raymond Johansen met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar hours after he flew into the Sri Lankan capital for a three-day visit.

Kadirgamar and Johansen shook hands and posed for photographers at the start of a closed-door meeting. Johansen was accompanied by Erik Solheim, Oslo’s special envoy to Sri Lanka.

Johansen is scheduled to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunga later today to find ways to end the 17-year-old war. Solheim, who visited neighbouring India last week as part of Norway’s peace initiative, is reported to be in touch with the leaders of LTTE through the rebels’ London office.

Earlier, Tamil political parties today urged both the government and the rebels to agree to a ceasefire to help peace negotiators to succeed.