SLMM head recalled to Oslo for consultation
[October 30, 2003 - 9.00 GMT]

SLMM chief Major General Tryggve Tellefsen has left for Oslo for consultation following President Kumaratunga’s request to have him removed.

President Kumaratunga on October 23 wrote to the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik asking him to relieve the SLMM chief of his duties. She said his conduct was not in the interest of the county’s security. Norwegian Premier responded on October 27 saying that her request was receiving serious consideration.

In his letter to the President Kumaratunga yesterday, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Petersen said that he would consult the governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden, the other Nordic participants in the Monitoring Mission. Petersen said Norway would jointly assess the situation and the implications for the presence of the international monitors in Sri Lanka.

“The SLMM will continue to monitor the ceasefire agreement, upon the parties’ request, while we look into the incident”, he confirmed.

The Nordic team has been monitoring the fragile truce in place since February 2002. However the SLMM has had to face some flak for the manner some ceasefire violations were handled.

At the weekly press briefing today Cabinet spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris said the matter was in the hands of the Norwegian government. 

Tellefsen’s recall – President’s office clarifies

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Last Updated Date: October 30, 2003  -9.00 GMT.