Akashi to visit Vakarai

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi will visit Vakarai today to observe resettlement of civilians, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The Japanese special envoy Akashi on Tuesday met the Head of the Peace Secretariat and Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and discussed the present situation in the country. “The discussion was fruitful and Akashi expressed his fervent of hope of peace returning to the country, Minister Rambukwella said at the weekly defence press briefing.

“Akashi won’t be visiting Kilinochchi or any LTTE leaders. He will visit Vakarai to meet the civilians who were in the clutches of the LTTE and who are now being resettled by the Government. Meanwhile, Akashi won’t be visiting Kilinochchi or any LTTE leaders during the visit”, Minister Rambukwella said.

He also said the Japanese government has listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation last year and it always urged the LTTE to return to the negotiation table. “The Australian government is also taking steps to list the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and is working seriously to bring the proposal to the Australian Parliament”, the Minister remarked.