Solheim says role in Sri Lanka taught him valuable lessons

31 Aug, 2016

Former Norwegian peace negotiator?Erik Solheim says he gained valuable lessons through his role in Sri Lanka.

As a negotiator of the peace process in Sri Lanka between 1998 to 2005, Solheim said he had gained valuable lessons, including the importance of dialogue and compromise.

?In my view you should always try to talk even with political leaders as well as guerrilla leaders or terrorists leaders who do not seem to be amendable to compromise ? let?s try talking,? he said.

Solheim was speaking at the UN as the?new head of the United Nations environment agency, the?UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

He was?elected to the UNEP position for a four-year term by the General Assembly on 13 May this year, succeeding Achim Steiner of Germany, who led the agency for the past 10 years.

In Sri Lanka?Solheim played a key role as peace negotiator between the LTTE and the Government. (Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

Concerns over moves to provide Chinese communication facilities to Sri Lanka Police

Concerns have been raised over moves to provide Chinese communication facilities to the Sri Lanka Police, the Sunday Times reported today. According to the Sunday Times, the Chinese Government is to provide a grant to Sri Lanka to improve the communication facilities for the Police. As part of the Chinese grant, a widely used communication facility known as TETRA ? Terrestrial Trunked Radio ? will be provided to the Police to improve communication between senior officers and police stations. I

18 Apr, 2021

Health guidelines to be strictly enforced as schools resume

Health guidelines will be strictly enforced as schools resume for the second term tomorrow (Monday). Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Professor Kapila Perera said that the existing health guidelines for schools will be enforced. Professor Kapila Perera said that washing hands, maintaining social distancing and bringing food from home are the basic health requirements. He said that so far new guidelines have not been issued for schools. “We will follow the existing health guidelines un

18 Apr, 2021

Chinese Police will not have a say at Colombo Port City

The Chinese Police will not have a say at the Colombo Port City, the Sri Lankan Government said today. State Minister for Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that only the Sri Lankan Police will manage law and order at the Colombo Port City. He denied claims that the Colombo Port City will be a Chinese colony where the Chinese Police will manage law and order. The State Minister also insisted that the Colombo Port City will be under the control of t

17 Apr, 2021

Colombo Gazette is a leading news and entertainment website, covering stories related to Sri Lanka. The content consists of text based news, photos and videos and is linked to social media websites including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to provide a wider coverage for its stories.