Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has sent a message congratulating President Rajapaksa. Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim, has also congratulated the President on his re-election and said the January 26 election results gave President Rajapaksa a historic opportunity to work towards lasting peace in the war-torn country. “Norway and Sri Lanka enjoy close and longstanding bilateral relations.

We intend to continue our cooperation with the government and peop1e of Sri Lanka with a view to promoting lasting peace and development,” Mr Solheim said.

Mr. Solheim said that to achieve sustainable peace in Sri Lanka, a political solution must be found that safeguards the rights of all minority groups, including the Tamils. “I hope President Rajapaksa will give priority to finding a political solution that is acceptable to all groups,” Mr Solheim said in a statement released through the Norwegian Embassy.

Norway was a facilitator in the peace process in Sri Lanka until 2006, when it became clear that the parties to the conflict had chosen war over a negotiated solution. Since the end of the hostilities Norway had no specific role, but continued to work for a political solution in Sri Lanka.

Last year Norway was one of the providers of humanitarian aid to the country. The funding of NOK 94 million (USD 16 million) went primarily to assisting the internally displaced people in the North and East.