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Japanese FM to visit Lanka

by Manjula Fernando

Japanese Foreign Minister Ms.Yoriko Kawaguchi will visit Sri Lanka during the first week of January on a special invitation of the Sri Lankan Government.

"Her visit will highlight the continuous Japanese support for the on going peace process," Foreign Ministry sources said yesterday.

Ms.Kawaguchi is expected to hold discussions with top Government members on preliminary arrangements for the forthcoming Tokyo donor conference in mid next year.

According to the sources she will also hold discussions with regard to the arrangements for the sixth session of Peace Talks in March scheduled to be hosted by the Japanese government.

She is scheduled to meet President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando during her two day visit from Janury 8 to 10.

The Japanese Government has decided to increase its volume of assistance for Sri Lanka next year with a special relief package for the North and East in support of the Peace efforts taken by the Government, sources added.

A special envoy was appointed by the Japanese Prime Minister to streamline Japanese assistance to Sri Lanka in line with the peace process. The envoy Mr. Yasushi Akashi visited the country earlier and prepared a report with first hand knowledge he gathered after a tour in the North. 

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