Japan firm in aid commitment to Sri Lanka

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: Japanese Special Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi pledged his country’s aid flow to Sri Lanka would continue uninterrupted.

The Special envoy reiterated Japan’s support to Sri Lanka during a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday where former assured Japan’s aid commitment to Sri Lanka.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday Information and Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said Akashi had not intended to visit Kilinochchi. “The Government will act very responsibly about his security”, the Minister added.

Responding to questions posed by journalists Minister Yapa said that it is the responsibility of the media to create a lively debate on the proposed electoral reforms.” The most important thing is the public view on this and how it will benefit the public and not the opinion of one political party or group.

“For a long time there has been a big cry for electoral reforms but there was no proposals on how it could be done. Now all political parties have submitted their proposals and it is time for public debate, he added.

He also said that the Police and the Armed Forces have already been informed about Media accreditation issued by the Government Information Department and if a police officer or any other person says it is not acceptable the journalist can directly complain to him or the Director, Information and the case will be investigated.

“But it is not fair to take one isolated incident and generalise it saying that the Media accreditation issued by the Government is not valid any more”.

He said they cannot act without a formal complaint to the police. When something happens a formal complaint has to be made to the police and people do not need to visit the police station for this but they can send their complaint in writing by post. Then the police should enter it in their records and commence investigations.

It is the normal procedure in any country. Their’s was a country with conflicts since a long time and the Government was trying its best to bring peace and safeguard human rights. The Government appointed a human rights commission.

Confirming the Minister’s statement, the Director, Department of Government Information, Anusha Pelpita said that he has already informed heads of the Police and the Armed Forces about the Media Accreditation with a sample copy of it.

Explaining the recent accusations made by a UNP MP in Parliament, Minister Yapa said that India continued to maintain an extremely cordial relationship with Sri Lanka and therefore there was no need to discuss about that statement.

However, another statement made mentioning certain names will have to be investigated. He also stated that according to Parliamentary traditions, MPs should be careful when mentioning the names of persons who are not in Parliament.

Responding to more questions Minister Yapa pointed out that the MoU between the Government and the LTTE was still operative. Minister Rambukwella has already cleared the air on this issue. The Government is in the process of finding ways and means of providing fuel and electricity to the people at a price that they can afford.