Akashi in Sri Lanka to promote peace building

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 January 2003, 11:52 GMT]
Mr. Yasuka Akashi, the Representative of the Government of Japan, is in Sri Lanka from the 15th to 19th to continue his mission of peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka, a press release from the Embassy of Japan said. Mr. Akashi will visit Kilinochi, Matara and Hambantota during his visit and will attend the meeting of Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN)

The full text of the press release follows:

Mr.Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan will visit Sri Lanka from 15th to 19th January to follow up his initial mission in November last year. A tentative itinerary of his visit is attached hereto.

Mr. Akashi is former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs, and is one of the foremost experts in the field of peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction. He served as Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Cambodia and for the former Yugoslavia during 1992-93 and 1994-95 respectively. He was appointed Representative of the Government of Japan on 25th October, 2002 to contribute to the peace process in Sri Lanka. The purpose of his visit this time is to continue his mission to contribute to peace building, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka. His visit will include exchange of views with various political leaders in Sri Lanka.

During Mr.Akashi's stay in Colombo, he is scheduled to meet President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando, Constitutional Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, Economic Reform, Science and Technology Minister Hon Milinda Moragoda, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse and other politicians as well as representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions.

Mr.Akashi will also visit Kilinochchi, Hambantota and Matara. Mr.Akashi is scheduled to attend the Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East in Kilinochchi and to meet with Southern Region Development Minister Ananda Kularatne, Members of Parliament elected in the South, and other important religious representatives while in Hambantota and Matara.

Please contact the press office of the Embassy for further information. Tel: 01-693831~3 (ext 66)