Japanese peace envoy in Killinochchi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 May 2003, 10:59 GMT]
The Japanese special peace envoy Mr.Yasushi Akashi arrived Killinochchi Wednesday morning by a special helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force to meet leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and was received by deputy political secretary of the LTTE Mr.S.Thangan, sources in Vanni said.

The Japanese ambassador in Colombo and several diplomats accompanied Japanese special peace envoy. Later the Japanese special envoy and members of the delegation were taken to LTTE secretariat, Vanni sources said.

Mr. Akashi is expected to meet the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Mr.V.Pirapaharan. LTTE political advisor Mr.Anton Balasingham and political head Mr.S.P.Thamilselvan are also expected to participate in the talks, sources said.

Mr. Akashi arrived in Colombo last Saturday. He earlier visited Muttur and Batticaloa and held discussions with the representatives of Tamil and Muslim civil groups parliamentarians, sources said.

Meanwhile Norwegian special envoy Mr. Erik Solheim visited Vavuniya Wednesday and held discussion with civil and military representatives, sources said.