Japan's Special Peace Envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi yesterday assured his country's commitment to Sri Lanka's post-conflict development when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President's House yesterday.

Akashi, who is on a visit to Sri Lanka, commended the speedy development Sri Lanka had achieved in a short time after defeat of terrorism two and a half years ago and said Japan is ready to continuously help Sri Lanka to achieve its development goals.

The special envoy Sunday participated in the opening ceremony of the country's first expressway constructed with Japanese funds. He said the Southern Expressway would strengthen Sri Lanka's development.

The President appreciated Japan's friendship and continued assistance provided to the country.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided Rs. 47 billion to construct the first 66-km section from Kottawa to Kurundugahahethekma of the 95-km highway from Colombo to Galle.

The total cost of the construction amounted to Rs. 77 billion. The Asian Development Bank and the Sri Lankan government provided the rest.

Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo and the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, speaking to journalists following his meeting with Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, the special envoy said a durable solution to post-conflict issues should be consistent with the traditions and culture of the land.

“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.

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.