Japanese peace envoy Akashi to visit Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 September 2003, 11:02 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Cabinet spokesman, Minister Mr. G.L.Peiris, said Thursday at the weekly press briefing that the Japanese special peace envoy, Mr.Yasushi Akashi will be visiting Sri Lanka on September 11 to preside over a conference on the proper utilization of funds pledged at the Tokyo donor conference held in June, media sources said.

Representatives from the donor countries and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would be invited for the conference to discuss matters related to allocation of funds for development work without delay.

The conference is to commence on September 12 in Colombo, Mr.Peiris said.

He further said that Japanese envoy is expected to hold talks with the leadership of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. Mr. Akashi would also hold talks with Muslim leaders in Amparai and Kalmunai in the eastern province.

Mr.Peiris further said the Norwegian deputy foreign minister Mr. Vidar Helgessen and special peace envoy Mr. Erik Solheim are expected to arrive in Colombo on September 17 on a three day visit in an attempt to revive the stalled peace talks between the Sri Lanka Government and the LTTE.

Meanwhile, Colombo government leaders expect that the LTTE leadership would send its response to the interim administration proposals through Mr. Helgessen and Mr.Solheim, sources said.