(Press Statement/21.08.19.)
Senior Japanese Diplomat and United Nations administrator His Excellency Yasushi Akashi met with the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance Hon R Sampanthan member of Parliament, Yesterday (20.08.2019) at his residence in Colombo.
Mr. Sampanthan expressed upon the Special ambassador that though the armed conflict has come to an end, the solution to the Tamil people’s grievances which were the causes for the armed conflict are yet to be fulfilled.
Further, he said, the international community played a key role in bringing the war to an end. The government of Sri Lanka gave several commitments to the international community concerning a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict. But none of those commitments have seen a positive end.
The international community cannot be a mere spectator anymore said Mr. Sampanthan, he further said that the International community must remind the Government of Sri Lanka of their commitments to the international community and ensure that the government deliveres on those commitments.
Mr. Sampanthan further cautioned that if the Government of Sri Lanka fails to keep its commitment it will not only be harmful to the Tamil people but the whole country.
Along with the Special Ambassador the Japanese Ambassador for Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Akira Sugiyama and other officials were also present at this meeting which lasted for around 40 minutes.