Akashi arrives in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 20 January 2004, 02:04 GMT]
Japanese special peace envoy Mr.Yasushi Akashi arrived at Katunayake International Airport in Colombo Monday around midnight for a weeklong stay in Sri Lanka. "We will not interfere in the current political impasses now prevailing in Colombo. It is the duty of the political leaders of of Sri Lanka to find solution to their problem," Mr.Akashi told journalists on his arrival, media sources said.

"However we would try to share our thoughts with relevant parties in a bid to revive the stalled peace process to ensure political stability and prosperity to the country without interfering in the local politics," Mr. Akashi is reported to have to told media persons.

Mr. Akashi is to preside over the Donors' review meeting scheduled to be held Friday in Colombo.

Mr. Akashi is to meet Sri Lanka's President, Prime Minister and leaders of various political parties to assess the current political situation and the prospect of reviving the stalled peace process during his stay in Sri Lanka, sources said

The delegations of the Tamil National Alliance and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress are scheduled to meet Mr. Akashi on Wednesday morning separately.

The TNA delegation will be led by parliamentarian Mr.R.Sampanthan and the SLMC by Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim, sources said.

Mr. Akashi will fly Thursday to Killinochchi to meet LTTE leadership, sources said.