Visit of Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan, to Sri Lanka

October 11, 2006

Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, will visit Sri Lanka from Sunday 15th October to Friday 20th October 2006.
Considering the current situation in Sri Lanka where both the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) are in the process of making final preparations to hold direct talks on 28th and 29th October in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Akashi is scheduled to meet high-ranked officials of Sri Lankan Government and leaders of the LTTE with a view to urging them to take a constructive approach towards the direct talks. Mr. Akashi will also exchange views on the peace process and its future prospects with leaders of political parties, representatives of international organizations and others.
This will be Mr. Akashi's thirteenth visit to Sri Lanka since he was appointed as the Representative of the Government of Japan in November 2002.

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