Blast near Norwegian embassy

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, MAY 24. There was a minor explosion near the Norwegian Embassy here tonight which the police said was caused by a device flung by two men on a motorcycle. There were no casualties. The device landed in an unoccupied house next door to the embassy.

Asked whether the explosion was aimed at the embassy, the Norwegian Ambassador, Mr. Jon Westborg, told reporters that ``it was very difficult to understand anything else'' apart from the fact there had been an explosion.

On whether the incident would deter Norway from its peace mission, Mr. Westborg said his country ``has been very determined about it''.

Copter gunned down

On the battlefront, after an all-too-brief lull, fresh fighting took its toll of a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter gunship and its two gunners near Chavakakchcheri this evening. A Government statement late tonight said the Mi-24 helicopter had to make an ``emergency landing'' in an area controlled by the Government.

The helicopter is believed to have come down near Sarisalai where the Government said fresh fighting had erupted. The helicopter's two gunners were killed ``due to the fire'' in the rear cabin during an emergency landing but the two pilots were rescued.

Battle shifts eastwards

In the east, reports from Batticaloa said the LTTE and the Army exchanged mortar fire on the outskirts of the town for the third consecutive day today. According to the Government, the LTTE launched mortar attacks on the Air Force base and a detachment of the Army stationed at Vavunathivu, 8 km outside Batticaloa town, last evening.

The Government reported one soldier killed in the confrontation.

Pickering visit

In the capital, the U.S. Embassy today announced the visit of the Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Thomas Pickering, to Sri Lanka early next week. A statement from the embassy said Mr. Pickering would meet Government officials, representatives of political parties, members of NGOs and individuals ``to discuss bilateral and regional issues''.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian delegation led by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Raymond Johansen, left for New Delhi after a two- day visit. Few details were available about their discussions with the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga. Sources said the delegation had met the LTTE representative in London, Mr. Anton Balasingham, the day before arriving here.

Ms. Kumaratunga, who appealed to her people on Tuesday to contribute money to the war effort, today set up a ``crisis intervention facility'' for ``pyscholgical support systems'' to soldiers and their families.

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