By Dumeetha Luthra BBC correspondent in Colombo

On a three day visit he'll be meeting both sides in an attempt to revive the faltering peace process.

Since his last visit to Sri Lanka in October there has been little sign of either side moving closer to an agreement. On the contrary the two sides seem farther apart.

Normally Erik Solheim is flown up to the northern Tiger-controlled areas by government helicopter. This time round it appears he will be only flown up to the farthest government controlled areas, and then will have to drive on.

No chopper

Solheim will meet Thamilselvan once again

Peace secretariat sources said it was a defence ministry decision. No reason has been given for this change of policy, but there's been speculation that the government is concerned about the security situation.

A ceasefire agreed almost three years ago is still holding, but grows ever more strained.

The decision also implies that the Tiger rebels will no longer be flown around the country in government helicopters. A service that had drawn some opposition from within the government coalition.

It's the Norwegian facilitator’s first visit to Sri Lanka since the Tamil Tiger rebel leader warned of a failure to resume talks on his basis. Vellupillai Prabhakaran said that patience was running out and the Tigers would return to the "freedom struggle".

The Tigers want to begin on the basis of their interim self governing proposal. The government has said a permanent solution must also be discussed.

Analysts say it is hard to see how at this point, Eric Solheim will be able to bridge the gap between the two sides.