Colombo, Tigers to exchange prisoners ahead of peace talks

An exchange of prisoners between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil guerrillas is due to take place ahead of the proposed peace talks as a further confidence-building measure between the two sides, a local news newspaper said yesterday.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government have been exchanging details about the prisoners over the past few weeks and the release is due to take place before the peace talks begin in Thailand on September 16, The Sunday Times said.

The LTTE's chief negotiator Dr Anton Balasingham, during talks with Norway's special envoy Erik Solheim on Thursday had discussed the release of the prisoners.

The LTTE said it had in its custody seven prisoners of war and gave names of 23 Tiger cadres whom it wanted released. It was not clear whether all the LTTE prisoners will be released.

The seven Sri Lankan security forces personnel in custody include Commander Ajith Kumara Boyagoda who fell into LTTE custody in September 1994 from a ship which was attacked off the north western coast of the country.

Meanwhile, the discussion between Dr Balasingham and Solheim also covered preparations for the next month's peace talks. Dr Balasingham will be leading his delegation which would comprise his wife Adele and lawyer V. Uruthiyakumar, who is based in the United States.

Dr Balasingham had said he would go directly to Thailand for talks, instead of coming into Kilinochchi first for consultations with the LTTE leadership as he had already discussed relevant matters through telephone communication.

However after the talks in Thailand he is due in the Wanni region. The first round of talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE will focus on the agenda to be taken up at talks later on, according an official of the Peace Secretariat.