Akashi calls on Prime Minister, Mangala and Chandrika

Japan to continue peace role

Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi who called on Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka at the Prime Minister's office yesterday, exchanged views on the peace process.

The Prime Minister thanked Akashi and the Japanese Government for the interest towards the peace process and expressed hope that their efforts would assist in bringing about an honourable peace as enunciated by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Akashi said Japan will continue its role in assisting in achieving peace and expressed the wish that the President's efforts would lead to a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister and the Japanese Envoy also exchanged views on bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of furthering the relations.

The Prime Minister thanked Japan for its assistance in varied development programmes in economic, social and cultural fields.

Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Akio Suda and the Prime Minister's Secretary Mahinda Bandusena were also present.

Austrian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jutta Stefan Bastl also called on the Prime Minister. They discussed the friendly ties between the two countries and ways of furthering relations.

Govt committed to negotiated settlement

The Special Representative of the Japanese Government for Peace Building, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi called on Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was the first occasion Akashi met Samaraweera after his assumption of duties as the Minister of Foreign Affairs last month. The discussions focused on a number of issues relating to the current situation in Sri Lanka and the Government's initiatives to move forward the peace process, a Foreign Ministry release said.

Samaraweera said the Government remains committed to a negotiated settlement to bring about a lasting solution to the conflict. Akashi reaffirmed the Japanese Government's support for President Mahinda Rajapakse's peace efforts

Chandrika thanked for her peace efforts

Japan's Special Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi met former President Chandrika Kumaratunga at the State Guest House 'Visumpaya' on Thursday.

Akashi thanked Kumaratunga for her role in bringing Sri Lanka closer to peace. He said the international community and Sri Lankans will remember her contribution.

The two exchanged views about the situation in the North and East and the peace process. Kumaratunga encouraged Akashi and the Government of Japan to continue their commitment to achieving peace in Sri Lanka and thanked Japan for their support to Sri Lanka to facilitate the peace process.

Japanese Ambassador Akio Suda was also present.