Akashi impressed by Government statement on fighting violence

[May 10, 2006 - 8.00 GMT]

Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Special Envoy from Japan for the Sri Lankan Peace Process said in Colombo today, that he was greatly impressed by the statement made in Parliament today (Wednesday May 10) by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on the need to punish all perpetrators of violence.

In particular, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had said: “I have been instructed by H. E. the President to inform Parliament that the Government vehemently condemns the recent spate of killings in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Avissawella and will take all necessary action to punish the perpetrators. This includes the killing of the five students in Trincomalee where the investigations are in progress. The Government considers as a curse the culture of impunity that this country has been witnessing at various dark periods since the 70s. As a democracy and a mature society we will not tolerate this any longer. We urge the police and the security forces to perform their duty to the country by maintaining law and order and in protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. This is what the citizens of the country expect from them.”

Mr. Akashi said this showed the commitment of President Rajapaksa to combat violence in the country, which was showing a dangerous increase, and was threatening the peace process.

He said when he met the S. P. Thamilchelvan, the Leader of the LTTE’s Political Wing at Kilinochchi, he had told him, as instructed by his leader Prabhakaran, that there was need for much emphasis from the Government side to comply with the peace process.

Mr. Akashi was of the view that this statement made on behalf of the President was an indication of the Government’s intent to comply with the Peace Process.

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Last Updated Date: May  10, 2006 -8.00 GMT