Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi in town

The Government of Japan’s Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Representative Yasushi Akashi in Sri Lanka will be in the country for a six-day official visit.

The Japanese Embassy in Colombo in a statement said that the Government of Japan has decided to dispatch Akashi to Sri Lanka from 21 to 26 August following the developments in Sri Lanka and to review the progress the country has made after the end of the armed-conflict.

“The Government of Japan considers that consequent to the end of the armed conflict of more than 25 years in May 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka is tackling post-conflict issues such as the resettlement of IDPs, reintegration of ex-LTTE combatants, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the conflict-affected areas; the national action plan to implement recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission has been also released recently,” the statement said.

During his stay, the peace envoy will meet Government officials and representatives of the ruling and opposition parties as well as members of civil societies, and emphasise the importance of national reconciliation toward the establishment of lasting peace.  He is also scheduled to visit the Northern Province of Sri Lanka to study the latest developments in the conflict-stricken zone. This will be Akashi’s 22nd visit to Sri Lanka since he assumed the post in 2002.