The first chief of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Retired Norwegian Army Major-General Trond Furuhovde, passed away following a period of illness at his home in Norway. He was 67.
Maj. Gen. Furuhovde, who retired from his one year service (March 2002 - Feb. 2003) as SLMM Head of Mission in Sri Lanka, returned to the island again in February 2004, when the Norwegian government re-appointed him after a controversy in November 2004 involving his successor, who was declared persona non grata by Colombo.
Maj. Gen. Furuhovde, an experienced monitor in international conflicts, has earlier served as the Force Commander of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from 1993 - 1995.
Furuhovde who was under medical treatment in Norway, undertook a mission to Sri Lanka as a Special Representative of the Royal Norwegian Government in October 2005 to consult with the parties.
The leader of the Liberation Tigers, Mr. Vellupillai Pirapaharan, sent a letter of condolence to Mrs. Furuhovde in which he also expressed his movement’s gratitude for the General’s efforts to keep the peace in Sri Lanka.
“General Furuhovde twice undertook the most difficult task of the Head of Mission in Sri Lanka during turbulent times, and made an outstanding contribution to the establishment of peace and stability in the war torn Tamil homeland. With extra-ordinary skill and leadership he guided the monitoring mission in overseeing peace and helped to strengthen and consolidate the truce agreement,” Mr. Pirapaharan wrote.
“With passionate commitment to peace General Furuhovde performed his task with stunning efficiency, adhering to the noble principles of objective neutrality and social justice. His exemplary service will always be appreciated with gratitude. On behalf of the people of Tamil Eelam, I express my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.”
Maj. Gen. Furuhovde, who retired from his one year service (March 2002 - Feb. 2003) as SLMM Head of Mission in Sri Lanka, returned to the island again in February 2004, when the Norwegian government re-appointed him after a controversy in November 2004 involving his successor, who was declared persona non grata by Colombo.
Maj. Gen. Furuhovde, an experienced monitor in international conflicts, has earlier served as the Force Commander of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from 1993 - 1995.
Furuhovde who was under medical treatment in Norway, undertook a mission to Sri Lanka as a Special Representative of the Royal Norwegian Government in October 2005 to consult with the parties.
The leader of the Liberation Tigers, Mr. Vellupillai Pirapaharan, sent a letter of condolence to Mrs. Furuhovde in which he also expressed his movement’s gratitude for the General’s efforts to keep the peace in Sri Lanka.
“General Furuhovde twice undertook the most difficult task of the Head of Mission in Sri Lanka during turbulent times, and made an outstanding contribution to the establishment of peace and stability in the war torn Tamil homeland. With extra-ordinary skill and leadership he guided the monitoring mission in overseeing peace and helped to strengthen and consolidate the truce agreement,” Mr. Pirapaharan wrote.
“With passionate commitment to peace General Furuhovde performed his task with stunning efficiency, adhering to the noble principles of objective neutrality and social justice. His exemplary service will always be appreciated with gratitude. On behalf of the people of Tamil Eelam, I express my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.”
