Archives

Peace process: Japan to consult India

by Ravi Ladduwahetty

The Government of Japan will solicit the opinion of India on the Sri Lanka peace process, Director General and Press Secretary of the Japanese Foreign Ministry Hatsuhisa Takashima told a news conference at the Colombo Hilton last night.

Takashima was addressing the conference, deputising for visiting Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

Japan would be hosting the sixth round of peace talks in Tokyo and also the international donor conference in Tokyo.

"India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and is well versed with Sri Lanka's affairs and it is nothing but right that we keep India briefed on this subject," Takashima said.

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi was in Colombo on a two day visit to be acquainted with the peace process and to provide a US$ 1.25 million grant for de-mining in Jaffna. She will be leaving for India today to meet Indian leaders to brief them on her deliberations with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said that the Japanese Government was very pleased with the outcome of the peace process in Sri Lanka, especially the last round in Oslo and said that Japan was very closely monitoring its progress.

It is indeed gratifying that the peace process has gained momentum with the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE agreeing on the establishment of a federation within a united Sri Lanka, he said.

Minister Kawaguchi paid courtesy calls on President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and discussed matters relating to the peace process and the proposed Sri Lanka donor conference in Tokyo.

She also held talks with Minister Tyronne Fernando yesterday at the Foreign Ministry. The two Foreign Ministers reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed ways and means of further enhancing co-operation.

Minister Fernando thanked Japan for the consistent development aid she has generously given to Sri Lanka over the years.

He also conveyed the appreciation of the government for the role that Japan is currently playing in assisting the peace process launched by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The two ministers agreed on the need to hold regular bilateral meetings at the level of Foreign Secretaries.

Sri Lanka also requested Japanese Government to increase the scholarship opportunities for higher studies in Japan for Sri Lankan students.

Minister Kawaguchi also visited Jaffna for an on site inspection of the de-mining and the rehabilitation work carried out in the peninsula by three international NGOs which receive financial support from the Japanese government.

This is the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka in 16 years.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager