FM summons Norwegian envoy

By Kelum Bandara
The Foreign Ministry yesterday summoned Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem and expressed its displeasure over Norway facilitating a meeting between LTTE’s international representative Kumar Pathmanathan alias KP and United Nations Humanitarian Chief Sir John Holmes.

The government is also known to have asked why such a meeting was arranged without consulting the Sri Lanka governemnt.

Norway came under fire last week from the National Freedom Front (NFF), an ally of the government regarding the meeting urged the government to sever diplomatic relations with Norway.

Political sources told Daily Mirror the Norwegian Ambassador was also questioned about numerous other allegations.

The Ambassador is said to have admitted to his country facilitating the

meeting between KP and Sir John and that two government members had been contacted by Norway prior to arranging the meeting.

However, the Foreign Ministry had said it was against diplomatic protocol to bypass the Ministry and consult someone else in the government on a matter of this nature.

Meanwhile, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa said his party would take strong action unless the government requested the Norwegian government to withdraw Mr. Hattrem from Colombo immediately.

Mr. Weerawansa charged that KP is an arms dealer for the LTTE, and the government should have the backbone to take action against a diplomatic mission maintaining links with such a person.

“KP is wanted even by the Interpol. He is a criminal. We do not want to be part of the government unless it can take action against this ambassador,” Mr. Weerawansa charged.
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