The main objective was to inquire into the plight of the war-affected people of the northeast and provide relief to them, he has told BBC Sandeshaya.

Foreign affairs minister Mangala Samaraweera, the secretary of the reconciliation secretariat, representatives from Switzerland and South Africa as well as Norway’s Erik Solheim also attended the talks, the first between the two sides since the end of the war.

Surandiran said they discussed how the international community could help the 80,000 war widows and the disabled and said the government should not stop at providing land for the homeless, but money too, should be given.

He said the meeting was held secretly as parties to a diplomatic level gathering were unwilling to get exposed.

The Sri Lankan government said further discussions would take place with the foreign delegates.

Several TNA politicians, including MP Suresh Premachandran, have objected to the participation of M.A. Sumanthiran at the meeting.

Surandiran said he could not comment on Premachandran’s claim the TNA had not sanctioned Sumanthiran to participate.