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Killing of Kousalyan has poisoned ceasefire - Akashi

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 February 2005, 07:50 GMT]
The killing of Kousalyan and his colleagues has "poisoned the cease fire atmosphere" in Sri Lanka, said Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Japan's Special Peace Envoy, speaking to the press after meeting the Liberation Tigers in Solaiyaham, near Kokkaddicholai Saturday. Referring to the distribution of Tsunami aid in Sri Lanka, Mr. Akashi said the "needs in East are probably biggest".

Mr. Akashi with Mr. Thamilchelvan at Solaiyaham, an LTTE conference centre 17 kilometres southwest of Batticaloa

Mr. Thamilchelvan and Mr. Ilanthirayan (Marshall)

Mr. Jeyanandamoorthy, TNA MP for Batticaloa with Mr. Akashi at Solaiyaham

Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Japan's Special Peace Envoy held discussions with Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Head of LTTE's Political Division Saturday in Soalaiyakam near Kokkaddicholai, 17 kilometres southwest of Batticaloa. Mr. Puleedevan, Secretary General of the LTTE's Peace Secreatariat and Mr. Ilanthirayan (Marshall), Head of LTTE's Political Division for Batticaloa-Amparai, will accompany Mr. Akashi on a tour of Tsunami hit villages on the Batticaloa coast, starting from Ondaatchi Madam, after lunch, LTTE officials in Batticaloa said.

Assasinations of LTTE political activists in Sri Lankan military controlled areas and the equitable distribution of Tsunami aid in the northeast were discussed at the meeting between the Liberation Tigers and the Japanese delegation.

Japanese Ambassador for Sri Lanka, Mr. Akio Suda was associated with Mr. Akashi at the discusssion.

Mr. Akashi arrived in Kokkaddicholai by Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter.