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G8 Foreign Ministers regret LTTE's suspension of peace talks

Significant progress has been made by the peace process for over a year now between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE , according to a statement issued by the G8 Foreign Affairs Minister in Paris.

The Ministers thanked Norway for its constructive role.

The Ministers regretted the suspension by the LTTE of its participation in negotiations and expressed the wish that the donor conference scheduled in Japan this June would be an opportunity for all parties, including the LTTE, to come together.

Swiss relief for flood victims

The Swiss Government has allocated 100,000 Swiss francs (around Rs. 7 million) towards the flood relief. The donation will be channelled through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The financial assistance comes as the response to the country's emergency appeal which is earmarked to assist up to 25,000 families in their struggle for immediate survival.

Biyagama entrepreneurs donate Rs. One million

The Kalutara -Biyagama Investment Board Entrepreneurs Association (KBIBEA) made a donation of Rs. one million towards the Government's recently initiated flood victims fund yesterday.

Employment and Labour Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe accepted the donation on behalf of the Government and directed the KBIBEA to deposit it in the Treasury. KBIBEA, Chairman Ajith Dias and Deputy Chairman Hema Ranjan Fernando represented the Association.

Minister Samarasinghe said that this money will be utilised for the welfare of all flood victims in the Kalutara District according to the request made by the KBIBEA.

He said that according to the latest statistics nearly 18,000 families at Bingiriya, Madurawela, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinghala, Walallawita and Dodangoda in the Kalutara District were affected the floods and around 800 houses were badly damaged.

Meanwhile the association also donated a large quantity of food items, dry rations and clothing materials to be distributed among the flood victims in the Kalutara District.

German Foreign Minister condoles

In the face of the severe floods in Sri Lanka, which have caused many deaths and injuries, Federal Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has forwarded a letter of condolence to Minister Tyronne Fernando.

"I have learned with great shock about the numerous casualties, injured and severe damages caused by the flood catastrophe in your country. I want to convey to you and your Government my sincere sympathy. Our sympathy is directed to the victims, their families and friends, to the injured and to all those numerous people who have lost through the catastrophe their belongings.

"Please let me know, if help is needed to relieve the distress of the affected population. It would be a pleasure for us to support the rescue as much as possible," the letter said.

Korea donates US $ 50,000

The Government of Republic of Korea has decided to grant a sum of 50,000 US dollars to the Sri Lankan Government to help bring relief to the people in flood stricken areas.

This relief comes as a response to the appeal made by the Sri Lankan Government for the relief of the current flood situation. The Government of Republic of Korea has also offered its sympathies for the victims of the disaster.

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