Sri Lanka halts Norway peace trip

The Sri Lankan authorities have asked Norway's ambassador to cancel a planned visit to the rebel-held area in the north of the island.

A Norwegian embassy spokesman said the authorities wanted the trip cancelled because of security concerns.

The ambassador, Hans Brattskar, was due to hold talks with the Tamil Tigers in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi.

No new date for the visit has been set. More than 4,000 people have been killed since late 2005.