TULF MP, Joseph Pararajasingham said on Tuesday that Sri Lanka would not be presented with the same opportunity a second time, should the peace talks initiated by the Norway between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE fail. "The measures taken by the Government of Norway to bring about peace in Sri Lanka is appreciated. And we doubt as to whether the same opportunity will be given to Sri Lanka in the future.

He was speaking at a discussion held in Batticaloa regarding the current situation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Pararajasingham said that if there were any setbacks or failures in the peace effort the country would be faced with severe difficulties. "The war situation of the country may be intensified."

He said that the ethnic problem of the country should be solved through negotiations. "Each day the International community applies pressure on the Government and the LTTE to bring a peaceful solution to the problem."

The Batticaloa MP further said that all Parliamentarians of the Batticaloa district should help develop the villages. "Samurdhi mediators could also join hands with us to meet this end."

He added that Samurdhi should have more programmes for youth by developing sports and other activities in which the youth of Batticaloa could participate.