Sri Lanka's peace moves hailed

Norwegian mediators have moved the process forward

By Frances Harrison BBC correspondent in Colombo

The Norwegian Government, which has been mediating in the Sri Lankan civil war, says it is remarkable how fast the peace process has progressed in the last few months.

Actually, it might be the case that things are moving a bit too fast

Vidar Helgesen, Norwegian mediator

Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, who has been visiting Sri Lanka, says he believes the rebels are sincere about a negotiated settlement.

He says they are realistic about what can be achieved.

Mr Helgesen has been meeting the Sri Lankan Government and also went to see the Tamil Tigers in their stronghold in the north of the island.

Mr Helgesen said he was struck by how the Tamil Tiger rebel group was now making the transition from a guerrilla force to a political entity.

Rapid pace

The minister said it was fairly striking to see how the rebel leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was comfortable in his new role as a political leader.

Mr Helgesen has a lot to smile about

Mr Helgesen also spoke of the courage of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickramasinghe, in taking bold steps to try and resolve a conflict that has dragged on for 19 years.

"I think it's remarkable how fast things are moving and how fast they're moving in the right direction.

"Actually, it might be the case that things are moving a bit too fast because things need to settle on both sides, they need to get their respective apparatus realising the change and the amount of change taking place," he said.

Direct talks

The Norwegian mediators say although both sides have complained of failure to implement all the clauses of the ceasefire agreement they signed in February, these are not serious breaches.

High-level differences are narrowing

The next stage is face-to-face peace talks - the first for seven years.

These are expected to take place somewhere in Thailand in mid-June.

At the moment, the Norwegians are helping both sides draw up an agenda for those talks, which are expected to focus on an interim administration for the north and east of Sri Lanka, the conflict areas.

It is thought the legal framework for a final political settlement would be deferred, partly because of the problems of getting a sufficient majority in parliament to amend the constitution.