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Tokyo a new beginning to re-energise peace process - PM

Bharatha Malawaraarachchi from reporting Tokyo

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the Tokyo Conference marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. "The declaration made at the conference marks out the signposts for the road we will be taking together," the Premier told the concluding session of the Tokyo Conference. He said, firstly, there is need to make every effort to re-start the process and resume negotiations towards the goals set out at Oslo. " The conference sets-out a new framework which I strongly believe will re-energise Sri Lanka's peace and development," he added.

Second, Sri Lanka has to overcome delays, the blockages and the inertia of its bureaucratic apparatus and transform it into one capable of speedy implementation where work is done efficiently and effectively, added the Premier.

Third, there is an intrinsic link between peace and development. Fourth - there is global support for the Sri Lanka peace process.

"I regret the fact that the LTTE are not with us here in Tokyo. Had they been here they too could have heard and been encouraged by these messages and shared in the success of this event," added Premier Wickremesinghe.

He said " our efforts at getting the LTTE back to the table will continue. The central message of this conference will be most helpful in the resumption of negotiations. Your confidence that this will soon happen is manifest in your positive response to the Needs Assessment report and our strategic vision of Regaining Sri Lanka."

The Premier said the assistance received at the conference will be dedicated to the regaining Sri Lanka programme, the reconstruction of the North and East and the five adjacent districts.

I must confess that even the most optimistic among us would not have expected this massive, overwhelming indication of support.

"It will lay the foundation for the realisation of our goal of a peaceful Sri Lanka in which all its people live in harmony, safety and dignity."

"With your encouragement and active involvement, we can make it happen," he told the donors.

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