A durable solution to post-conflict issues should be consistent with the traditions and culture of the land, representative of the government of Japan on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi said yesterday.
“There is no one-size-that fits-all,” Akashi told journalists, emphasizing that Sri Lanka needs its own unique solution to its longstanding problem, for it to be sustainable and durable.
Speaking to journalists at the External Affairs Ministry following his meeting with Minister G.L. Peiris, Akashi said he was of the view that Sri Lanka was on the right track not only in finding a solution to the conflict but also when it came to economic development.
Questioned about his reaction to the LLRC report, Akashi said that his viewpoint would be known eventually after studying the report closely.
He said that he hoped the report would be a comprehensive and a balanced one which would recommend remedies to ensure that there will be no recurrence of the tragic experiences of the past.
Akashi noted that the international community, inclusive of Japan, was eagerly awaiting the President’s response to the LLRC report.
Speaking on development aid provided by Japan, Akashi noted that the assistance given would continue undiminished and unabated.
“Japan is by and large satisfied with the utilization of its assistance to promote development. It is the view of the majority that Japanese assistance has had a profound impact on the country’s development efforts,” he added.
Akashi noted that Japan was especially delighted to be involved in building Sri Lanka’s first speedway, the Southern Expressway, opened by the President on Sunday.
“There are a series of Japanese funded ongoing projects and many more are in the pipeline which Japan hopes would benefit Sri Lanka in the long-term,” he said.
When questioned on his views on development in the North and East, Akashi said that he was highly impressed with the accomplishments, so far.
“There is a lot more to be done, but Japan is of the view that the government is doing its best,” he added.
He said that Japanese assistance was not confined to development in the North and East only, but was involved in activities in other parts of the country as well.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that Sri Lanka needs sufficient time and space in the post-conflict era to come up with a durable solution to the conflict.
He said that the LLRC report would be presented to Parliament shortly and thereafter the President would make a brief statement.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s international interactions, he said that they were continuing at a high pace.
“Among others, the visit of a EU inter-parliamentary delegation, the visit of a Parliamentary delegation from Australia and the visit of the Prime Minister of Qatar would take place shortly,” he added.
The minister said that in addition, the Chair of the ‘Friends of Sri Lanka’ group of the European Parliament Geoffrey Van Orden was already here.
Akashi participated in the opening of the Southern Expressway on Sunday.
Source: Daily News: November 29, 2011
