Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris held bilateral discussions with Mr. Yasushi Akashi the Special Representative of the Japanese Government currently visiting Sri Lanka. Having thanked Mr. Akashi for attending the opening ceremony of the Southern Express Way which was built with generous financial assistance from the Japanese Government, Prof. Peiris briefed the veteran diplomat on the developments in Sri Lanka, particularly on the reconciliation process that is currently underway. In this regard the External Affairs Minister informed that the Lessens Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report has been handed over to the President and that it would be tabled in Parliament in the near future.

 "Sri Lanka wants to use this opportunity of peace achieved after thirty years of conflict to move forward" Prof. Peiris said. The Minister spoke of the post conflict development process currently underway with emphasis on reconciliation and political empowerment of all communities. The economic development that is happening in the North and the East, the resettlement of nearly 300,000 displaced persons and normalisation of their livelihoods, holding of local government elections and the emergence of political enthusiasm in the former conflict zone, restoration of the civil administration and the trilingual policy of the Government are also part of the reconciliation process and needs due consideration. In this regard Prof. Peiris informed that Sri Lanka deserves to be given the appropriate time and space to mitigate the painful effects of prolonged conflict and implement a meaningful reconciliation process.

Mr. Akashi acknowledged the 'super human' efforts made by the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the sudden influx of IDP's towards the final stages of the conflict and their eventual resettlement. He also assured that Japan would be a continuous partner in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the former conflict zone and the economic development of the whole of Sri Lanka. "Even while Japan may face tough economic conditions at home our development assistance to Sri Lanka will not be curtailed" he said.  

Prof. G.L Peiris was associated at this meeting by acting Secretary of External Affairs, Mr. W.M Seneviratne , Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Japan Admiral (Rtd) Wasantha Karannagoda and other Ministry officials while  Mr. Akashi was accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador  Nobuhito Hobo  and Embassy officials.