"In addition to being a development and humanitarian donor to Sri Lanka, Norway has, since the inception of the peace process, financed peace process-related costs and projects. The funding has inter alia included costs for peace secretariats and peace talks. Moreover, all Norwegian support must comply with strict rules for supervision, auditing and reporting. "

 

 

Norway has been afflicted much for intervening in the Sri Lankan matter. And these are the tasks they did for getting this sticky label - Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) with the assistance of the Government of Norway did a set of rehabilitation works especially the tsunami hit zones in the country and endeavored to fetch tranquility in the nation state by suggesting a range of proposals acceptable to Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in the state.

 The foremost accusation is that Norway is having a soft corner towards the LTTE rebels. There is another grim allegation that Norway is backing the terrorists. This is factor that the Government denied using harsh words.

 An open epistle from the Norwegian Ambassador, Hans Brattskar, to the Chief Editor of Sunday Times (a Colombo newspaper) throws plentiful luminosity over these facts. The letter runs underneath -

"Please find enclosed an open letter to the Chief Editor of Sunday Times from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 18 April 2007.

"The letter relates to an article in the Sunday Times newspaper 15 April 2007. It categorically refutes allegations made by a Norwegian national and his organisation Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) to the effect that Norway has funded terrorism. These allegations try to damage the relations between Sri Lanka and Norway. Unfortunately, similar allegations based on the very same source, have lately also been published and broadcasted by other parts of the Sri Lankan media.

"Let me present to you the following brief facts about Sri Lankan-Norwegian relations:

* Sri Lanka and Norway have entertained excellent bilateral relations since these were established in August 1950. This year, the countries can celebrate thirty years of bilateral development cooperation.

* Over the years, Norway has been a committed partner in development. The annual development assistance is normally in the range of LKR 3.9 billion (approx. USD 35.4 million). In the year 2005, the tsunami assistance brought the total up to LKR 7.8 billion (approx. USD 71.5 million). Norwegian development assistance has financed projects in all parts of Sri Lanka, with approximately two-thirds of the assistance being allocated to the South.

* In the year 2000, President Kumaratunga requested Norwegian assistance in facilitating talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. This request has been renewed by all successive governments of Sri Lanka. Norway remains committed to assist in reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict - one that can meet the aspirations of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims and be acceptable to all groups in Sri Lanka.

* In addition to being a development and humanitarian donor to Sri Lanka, Norway has, since the inception of the peace process, financed peace process-related costs and projects. The funding has inter alia included costs for peace secretariats and peace talks. Moreover, all Norwegian support must comply with strict rules for supervision, auditing and reporting.

Yours faithfully
Hans Brattskar
Ambassador."

 

The LTTE has taken stands which are unreservedly not in favor of Norway. To cite an example it has posed European Union (E.U.) to withdraw its members from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). Similar is the stance of the government of Sri Lanka. The present President in his vote campaign did promised that he would take procedures to confiscate any third party intrusion in the peace restoring route.

 It is a noteworthy thing that 22 projects were executed by the NRC in the past two years in educational quarter itself. 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) is nothing but an artifact of Norwegian involvement. The agreement now exists only in manuscripts.

 The situation tainted drastically when LTTE gained entrée to air bases. But if the two sides fix on to pursue with the existing intentions then the terrain will become thoroughly incongruous for living.

 Norway may opt for policies to shield its national interest. The Sri Lankan Government must take note that its welfare is protected. Once this leg is over Norway’s help can be solicited, and will be of immense aid for the nation.