Top British official meets LTTE leaders
The most powerful British official responsible for disbursing funds for development projects worldwide, yesterday held wide-ranging talks with Tiger guerrilla political leaders.

The move is precursor to British aid for the development of the North and East. Nicola Brewer, Director General (Programmes) in the Department of International Development, met the leader of the LTTE Political Wing, S. P. Thamilchelvan, for 90 minutes of talks at their political headquarters in Kilinochchi. Associated with her in the talks was British High Commissioner Stephen Evans and Defence Attaché Mark Weldon.

Ms. Brewer and an entourage of six others arrived in Kilinochchi in a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 412 helicopter. The Sunday Times learns the talks centered on a wide range of issues including development of the war-ravaged North and East.

Ms. Brewer is learnt to have also taken the opportunity of expressing British Government's displeasure over LTTE's recruitment of child soldiers. Mr. Thamilchelvan is learnt to have denied such recruitment took place.

Earlier yesterday, the British team arrived at the Jaffna Central College grounds for a string of engagements that included meetings for Ms. Brewer with officials of the United Nations Mine Action programme, officials of the UNICEF, the White Pigeon and meetings with internally displaced persons who have returned to their abodes.

She also drove to Chavakachcheri to see devastation caused to the town and its environs by the war. At the LTTE political office in Kilinochchi, Ms. Brewer and party were entertained to a lunch of lobsters from Mannar and later invited to be guests at a play by school children.

Back to Top

Back to Front Page

Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Webmaster