Akashi arrives in Colombo to continue peace mission

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 May 2004, 16:01 GMT]
Mr Yasushi Akashi, Special Representative of the Government of Japan, arrived in Colombo Saturday evening around 7.30 p.m. to continue his peace mission in Sri Lanka.T his is his 7th visit to Sri Lanka since he was appointed as the Special Representative in October 2002 to contribute to the peace process in Sri Lanka and his first visit after the election of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government at the recently concluded General Elections.

During his visit this time he is also scheduled to meet President Chandrika Kumaratunge, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and other officials of Sri Lanka to discuss the current situation of the peace process.

Mr. Akashi is to meet the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan Sunday morning around 10 a.m. in Colombo, TNA sources said.

Mr. Akashi will also visit Kilinochchi and meet with the representatives of LTTE.

Prior to his departure from Sri Lanka, Mr. Akashi will address a Press Conference at the Colombo Hilton Hotel at 1 p.m. on Wednesday 19th May, political sources in Colombo said.