<b>President urges early talks with LTTE</b>

The Island

President Chandrika Kumaratunga who met Indian Foreign Minister Yaswant Sinha yesterday stressed the need to commence direct talks with the LTTE at the earliest.

A statement from the Presidential Secretariat stated that the President met yesterday (12) with Mr. Yaswant Sinha Foreign Minister of India.

The discussions, which lasted for over an hour, were on matters of bilateral interest. Further the current status of the peace process was also discussed where the President reiterated the need to commence direct peace talks with the LTTE at the earliest to reach a lasting and durable negotiated political settlement to the ethnic crisis.

Tyroune Fernando (Foreign Minister), Lakshman Kadirgamar (Foreign Affairs Adviser to the President). K. Balapatabendi (Secretary to the President) and Ms. Sarala Fernando (Director General/SAARC) were associated with the President in the discussions.

Courtesy: The Island