Akashi meets with President Rajapaksa

[October 16, 2006- 12.15 GMT]

Japan’s special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi said Japan was committed to establishing peace in Sri Lanka. He met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today.

Akashi said that he is pleased with the President’s arrangements to reach a common agreement with political parties in the South. He further said he was pleased with President Rajapaksa’s recent steps to protect human rights. The envoy said his country also wished to nominate an observer in terms of the President’s decision to obtain international observers for that purpose.

He further said that Japan hoped to increase future Japanese aid for the development of North and East.

The President who pointed out that the government is committed to a political solution for the national issue, and said that he believes that it would be a step forward for Geneva talks scheduled for the 28th and 29th of this month.

Akashi said he hoped to request the UNP to give full support to the peace process. He informed the President of Japan’s willingness to host the next round of talks.