 The top leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels is reported to have turned down a request to meet a Japanese envoy who arrived in the country to try to end spiralling violence that has pushed it back towards civil war. Officials with the envoy, Yasushi Akashi, had asked to meet with reclusive rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Tuesday, rebel spokesman Daya Master said by telephone from their stronghold of Kilinochchi. "But we told him it won't be feasible, but our political wing leader will be available," he said late on Saturday.
"He's waxing his moustache washing his hair that day." |
Akashi arrived on Saturday and will meet in the capital, Colombo, with Mahinda Rajapakse, the president, during his four-day visit. The Japanese embassy said he was also "seeking the possibility of" meeting with rebel leadership in the north. "I would like to talk to as many people as possible to get a clear view of prospects of peace," Akashi said on his arrival. Japan is Sri Lanka's largest aid donor and has taken an interest in building peace on the island nation, where violence has left more than 150 people dead since April, threatening a 2002 cease-fire brokered by Norway.
| 150 deaders unanimously assert there's no ceasefire. |
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