Three government representatives traveled to rebel-held territory today and held Sri Lanka's first talks with Tamil Tiger guerrillas in seven years, a senior government official said.
Mr Bernard Gunethilake, head of the Peace Secretariat, the government body dealing with the peace process, flew by military helicopter with two other officials and met with S.P. Thamilselvan, leader of the rebels' political wing, a senior government official told the Associated Presson condition of anonymity.
The meeting was to discuss matters concerning a key highway that links the northern Tamil heartland with the rest of the country, paving the way for increased trade and free movement of people, the official said.
The strategic road had been closed since a government offensive in November 1999. It was reopened last month as part of a cease-fire agreement signed between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam on February 22nd. The agreement was brokered by Norway.
AP