PM tells Akashi:

Curb LTTE operations against SL

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne called upon Japan's Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi to appeal to the International Community to stop the LTTE from operating against Sri Lanka. He was speaking after meeting with the Japanese envoy on Thursday at the Prime Minister's office.

The Premier said that the international community should recognise and appreciate the development process launched by the Government of Sri Lanka after ending a 30-year-old conflict and ushering in peace in the country.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said that the LTTE is planning to set up 'Virtual States' in certain countries and those governments should take tough action to prevent it. "We have not allowed any group or individual to conspire against any State in the world within the territory of Sri Lanka.

Therefore, it is the duty of those governments to stop the groups who act against the Sri Lankan government in their countries'.

The LTTE has planned to establish 'Virtual States' even in countries where the LTTE is officially banned. Therefore we suspect whether those governments have betrayed the Government of Sri Lanka", the Prime Minister told Akashi.

We have launched a major development program in South and in the North under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We have also launched many programs to build peace and harmony among all nationalities. The Prime Minister said that all communities have expressed their satisfaction with these programs.

Japan Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi in reply said that the Japanese Government wishes to express its satisfaction over government's development programs which were launched after ending the 30-year conflict.

"It is the intention of the Japanese government to continue and strengthen the deep relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan.

The Japanese government will continue its support towards the development programs of Sri Lanka", Akashi said.

In reply to the Prime Minister's request to urge the international community to prevent the LTTE from establishing a 'Virtual State', Akashi said that if such a possibility exists the international community should not allow it to materialise.

He said that Japan is paying attention to this matter.

"World peace has become an important issue in this century and Sri Lanka should also have a strong program to enhance peace. The Sri Lankan government is honestly committed in building peace", Akashi said.

Secretary to the Prime Minister S. Amarasekara, Japanese Ambassador for Sri Lanka Kuniya Takashi, Secretary to the Japanese Envoy Takashi Oshuki, Coordinating Secretaries to the Prime Minister Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe, Dharmaratna Herath and representatives of the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry were also present.