Thursday, May 25 2006 16:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: As Norway pitched in with yet another initiative to strengthen ceasefire between Government and rebels, two mine blasts were triggered by suspected Tamil Tigers in eastern Sri Lanka killing three policemen and injuring three soldiers in separate incidents.

Four police personnel were killed in the eastern town of Kathankudy in Batticaloa district while three soldiers were injured at Chettikulam in Vavuniya district today in two mine blasts, the military said.

The attacks came as Norway's peace envoy Erik Solheim, who is due here tomorrow for talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse, cautioned against 'high expectations' from his latest mission.

"The situation in Sri Lanka is complicated. It is important not to have unrealistic expectations of the meetings," Solheim said in a statement.

Solheim said the visits were an important part of preparations for a meeting in Tokyo next week of Sri Lanka's key international financial backers who are to review their support of a faltering peace process.

The Norwegian envoy will travel straight to New Delhi after his talks with Rajapakse, the Norwegian embassy here said in a statement. Solheim is expected to brief Indian leaders on his latest efforts.

His deputy Jon Hanssen-Bauer arrived here yesterday and was due to travel to the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi at the weekend to meet with the political wing leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).