Government denies having agreed for talks with the LTTE in Oslo

Military spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the government has not decided on having talks in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

“We were always ready for talks but we were not consulted on the venue,” he told BBC Sandeshaya.

“There have been concerns over the venue in the past so we are yet to decide on that”.

We were always ready for talks but we did not agree on Oslo Minister Rambukwella

Norwegian Minister for International Development Erik Solheim told the BBC that both parties have agreed for talks in the Norwegian capital.

The donor co-chairs, he said, expected that the agreement meant parties have also agreed to curb violence.

But Rambukwella said the security forces will have to counter-attack if the rebels launch any attack.

“Security forces were engaged in defensive operations and yes we will have to defend ourselves if the forces come under attack,” the minister told bbcsinhala.com.