by Ifham Nizam
Japan does not consider it its business to impose its will on other countries. " But we have the right to express apprehnsion over humanitarian and other consequent issues," Japanes Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi told the media yesterday.
He said the Japanese government does not believe that it should go public on whatever had been achieved as one of the co-chairs. "We feel our efforts have been worthwhile and appreciated by many people in this country. Our genuine efforts are to help in achieving ethnic harmony so that its great potential for growth and harmony could be realised by Sri Lankans."
He also said that when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday evening, he conveyed the serious concerns of the Japanese Government, and emphasised that a political solution to the problem would be indispensable.
"And in that context, a devolution package, on which the Government of Sri Lanka had been exerting considerable efforts, must be drafted as soon as possible."
He said President Rajapaksa had expressed his commitment to a political solution, stating that the drafting of devolution package would be completed very soon.
With regard to human rights issues, Japan urged the Sri Lankan government on the vital need to improve the human rights situation.
"We will continue to observe closely the political, military and human rights situation in Sri Lanka," he said.
With regards to the Japanese government’s economic co-operation with Sri Lanka there were number of misunderstandings but it would not change, he said.
As a responsible government the Japanese aid programme has been determined to complete factors like economic development and the peace process. Future decisions would be taken by closely monitoring these matters, he added.
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