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by ANJANA GAMAGE

Yasushi Akashi, representative of the Japanese government for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka expressed optimism on the on-going peace process and said that disappointments and lack of commitment should not make one to give-up hopes of peace. He said that the ceasefire had held for almost one year, and although there are ups and downs, peace was still possible if there was stability, while addressing a press conference at the Hilton Hotel yesterday.

Mr. Akashi who was in Sri Lanka few days ago, met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, religious leaders, ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda and several political leaders before leaving for New-Delhi yesterday evening.

Akashi said that the major donor conference which is scheduled to be held in Japan in mid- June will assist Sri Lanka to obtain a massive international financial support which will help to achieve economic progress and establish a steady development foundation in the whole country.

Japan has approved an Overseas Development Assistant (ODA) loan package of 26 billion rupees to the government of Sri Lanka.

Akashi, said that the ODA will be extended to six projects focusing on poverty reduction through economic growth. These projects include rehabilitation and reconstruction in the north and east, and the south, supply of medical equipment to the Matara General Hospital, fisheries development in Tangalle, renovation of the Ratnapura General Hospital, Colombo-Matara Highway Project and infrastructure facilities for various agricultural projects.

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