By Frances Harrison BBC correspondent in Colombo

Norway's special envoy is in Thailand preparing the ground for the second round of Sri Lanka's peace talks which start next week.

Erik Solheim will assess the suitability of a new venue for negotiations, which have been moved to a resort in a suburb of the capital, Bangkok.

Both parties are determined to go ahead with the peace process and we know that there is massive public support

Vidar Helgesen, peace mediator

Meanwhile, the Norwegian mediators say the joint task force on development already agreed upon by the government and Tamil Tiger rebels will not start work until after the next round of talks.

One reason for the delay is the need to find a legal framework to make the task force accountable within the constitution.

Deputy Norwegian Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen has been meeting all sides to the Sri Lankan conflict to draw up the agenda for the second round of talks, due to begin on 31 October.

He said there was no drama over the delay to the task force's work - simply technicalities that were pretty time consuming.

Details would be finalised at the second round of talks, he said.

Concerns

The next round of talks will also probably focus on the situation in the east of Sri Lanka which has seen several incidents of violence this month.

Tiger leader: Met the Norwegians

Mr Helgesen said he saw a readiness in the rebel leader to address issues like the security situation there.

Overall, Mr Helgesen said his discussions with both sides confirmed their determination to continue with the peace process despite questions about how the political situation in the south might impact on it.

There has been concern recently about a rebellion in the Muslim party that is a key ally of the prime minister, as well as worsening relations within the government of cohabitation he shares with the president.

Aid talks

Also on the agenda next week are the arrangements for the mini pledging conference for Sri Lanka due to be held in Oslo on 25 November.

Mr Helgesen said this would have a strong political element because it would be the first international meeting supporting the Sri Lankan peace process.

Bilateral donors alone are to attend but there are complications about some countries taking part which have banned the Tamil Tiger rebel group.