GL briefs Akashi on LLRC implementation procedure

Japanese Special Representative Yasushi Akashi who arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, called on External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris at the ministry yesterday. Picture by Ruwan de Silva

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris briefed Japan's Special Envoy, ambassador Yasushi Akashi in detail about the procedures set in motion by the government for the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations, the progress already achieved and priority objectives for the future. He explained the work connected with the resettlement of internally displaced persons, the re-integration of ex-combatants and de-mining operations are almost complete.

Minister Peiris responded to Akashi's request for information relating to aspects of the reconciliation process, including action taken by the government with regard to the trilingual language capability initiative and the recruitment of more than 700 Tamil speaking police officers in the Northern Province.

Land issues and the government's approach to their solution including the proposed appointment of a Land Commission were referred to in the discussion.

The minister also dealt with the government's emphasis on infrastructure development in the Northern Province as key to the very significant economic benefits accruing to that part of the country.

Prof Peiris described to the visiting envoy, the government's preparedness to appoint immediately the Parliamentary Select Committee, consisting of all political parties in Parliament, to address political and constitutional issues.