Japanese special peace envoy meets Buddhist prelates

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 February 2003, 06:50 GMT]
The Japanese special peace envoy Mr. Yasusi Akashi arrived Colombo Wednesday early morning on a four-day visit. He immediately rushed to Kandy, capital of the central province and held vital discussions with the Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte Chapter Venerable Vipassi and Venerable Palipane Buddharakita Thera, sources said.

Japanese special envoy told the Buddhist prelates that Tokyo Aid Conference scheduled to be held in June would focus the entire island without any priority to any parts of it.

He told prelates to submit their suggestions to be placed at the Tokyo Aid conference, sources said. Japanese peace envoy expressed his happiness over the blessing of the prelates for the success of the peace process.

The Buddhist prelates told the Japanese special envoy that they welcomed the Japanese efforts to support the peace process. However the development mechanism formulated with the foreign assistance should be undertaken on equal treatment of north and south of the country, prelates stressed.

Sri Lanka's Defence Minister Mr.Tilak Marapane accompanied Japanese special envoy to Kandy. The Diyawadane Nilame of Kandy Dalada Maligawe Mr.Niranjan Wijeratne participated at the discussion with the Mahanayake Theras, sources said.

"My country is engaged in the island's peace process accepting the invitation extended by President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge and Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe," said Mr. Akashi at the discussion with the Buddhist prelates.

He further said his second visit to Sri Lanka is to hold intensive discussions with government and political leaders regarding the forthcoming Tokyo Aid Conference, sources said.

Meanwhile the meeting of the Sub Committee of Immediate Humanitarian Assistance scheduled to be held in Trincomalee on February 14 and 15 has been postponed for February 27 and 28, sources said.