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A Norwegian delegation is in Colombo to brief Sri Lankan leaders on the progress made in ongoing efforts to finalise a lasting truce agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), officials said.
Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, who held talks with LTTE negotiator Anton Balasingham in London on Tuesday, was likely to present on Thursday a draft accord for the government's approval, they said.
Speculation is rife that the agreement is ready for signing and contains provisions for monitors from Scandinavian countries, supported by local observers, to oversee the functioning of the ceasefire.
The two sides are observing separate ceasefires till February 4, but the current efforts are directed towards giving it a stable structure, laying down terms and conditions, and putting in place procedures and modalities for dealing with possible violations.
Helgesen and special peace envoy Erik Solheim will brief President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe about the latest developments.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, the defence ministry said that curbs on fishing in the sea off the northern Jaffna coast would be further relaxed.
The easing of restrictions, seen as another step to earn the trust of the Tamils, comes amidst continuing protests by fishermen against what they see as the needless continuance of security-related restrictions.
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