- Title: SRI LANKA: Japanese peace envoy visits Sri Lanka
- Date: 17th June 2010
- Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (JUNE 16, 2010) (REUTERS) SRI LANKAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GAMINI PEIRIS WELCOMING JAPANESE ENVOY YASUSHI AKASHI PEIRIS AND AKASHI SHAKING HANDS FOR THE CAMERAS VARIOUS OF TWO DELEGATIONS AT TALKS INTERIOR OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPANESE ENVOY YASUSHI AKASHI SAYING: "I think it is up to the Sri Lankan government to define the precise role. It is not for other governments or international organizations to dictate to Sri Lanka as to what it should be doing in this highly complicated and sensitive area." PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPANESE SPECIAL ENVOY YASUSHI AKASHI SAYING: "I am delighted that the government has decided to set up a truth and reconciliation commission which has a very very important task ahead of you. The ultimate aim should be full reconciliation and the construction of a more democratic society in the future, not to dwell on the past and apportioning responsibility for one or the other community." INTERIOR OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBEITE) (English) SRI LANKAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER GAMINI PEIRIS SAYING: "We are determined to put in place a political solution that is just and fair by all communities that inhabit this island. Finally, I told his Excellency that it is the deep conviction, the firm belief of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, that there is a close relationship between economic development and political innovation. These reforms, bold as they are, can be implemented only in a situation where people are economically integrated." INTERIOR OF PRESS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Sri Lanka
- Country: Sri Lanka
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA8ZHJYKEVIJJCD1QHMFESH1CO2
- Story Text: Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi meets with Sri Lankan government officials to discuss post-conflict reconciliation and a possible war crimes probe following the end of it's civil war last year.
Japanese special peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, arrived in the capital Colombo Wednesday (June 16) morning for talks with Sri Lanka's External affairs minister Gamini Peiris.
Addressing a joint news conference, Akashi said it is up to the Sri Lankan government to decide how the international community will help.
"I think it is up to the Sri Lankan government to define the precise role. It is not for other governments or international organizations to dictate to Sri Lanka as to what it should be doing in this highly complicated and sensitive area," said Mr. Akashi.
Akashi also welcomed the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by the Sri Lankan government designed to help both sides learn lessons from the war.
"I am delighted that the government has decided to set up a truth and reconciliation commission which has a very very important task ahead of you. The ultimate aim should be full reconciliation and the construction of a more democratic society in the future, not to dwell on the past and apportioning responsibility for one or the other community" he said.
This is Akashi's 20th visit to the island, since being appointed to the role eight years ago when the Colombo government began peace talks with Tamil Tiger separatist rebels.
In 2006, talks collapsed and the government launched an all-out military offensive against the Tigers. The military wiped out the group in May of 2009.
Japan is one of the top aid donors to Sri Lanka in the last 30 years and signed an aid agreement in March this year granting Sri Lanka 39 billion yen (425 million U.S. dollars) for development projects through out the country, including the war torn north and east.
Sri Lanka celebrated its fist anniversary of victory over the 25-year war against the separatists Tamil Tigers on May 19. The Tigers took the opportunity to renew old calls for an international war crimes probe as they blame the Sri Lankan government for tens of thousands of civilian deaths.
Sri Lankan government officials, though, deny the civilian casualties. They claim any war crimes probe would be engineered by Tamil Tiger supporters living in Western nations who are upset that the group was defeated.
Sri Lanka's external affairs minister Gamini Peiris said the government was committed to finding a political solution, but emphasised that economic development was essential to implement it.
"We are determined to put in place a political solution that is just and fair by all communities that inhabit this island. Finally, I told his Excellency that it is the deep conviction, the firm belief of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that there is a close relationship between economic development and political innovation. These reforms, bold as they are, can be implemented only in a situation where people are economically integrated," he said.
Colombo says the West is applying a double standard by insisting on a war crimes investigation while they themselves, namely the United States and Britain, are not being probed despite thousands of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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