June 09, Colombo: Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi said he is optimistic for a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka despite the raging violence between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE.

Akashi addressing the media today said that "despite concerns Japan believes that the conflict can be resolved through peaceful negotiations."

The envoy concluding his 14th visit to the country since he was appointed as the Representative of the Government of Japan for Peace-building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka said that Japan will continue to send aid to Sri Lanka despite increasing allegations of human rights abuses.

“Some donor countries have decided to suspend or discontinue their assistance. But, I think our help is for victims themselves and people should not be punished for actions or policies of their leaders,” he said.

Japan is the biggest donor to Sri Lanka which provides a majority of all international aid to the country.

During his five-day visit Akashi visited the eastern Batticaloa district to witness the resettlement of the internally displaced people. He praised the government’s immediate remedial actions taken to uplift the livelihood of the resettled civilians and said he was happy with the government's resettlement and rehabilitation work.

Expressing concern on rising violence and human right abuses Akashi said he hopes the issues would be energetically addressed by all concerned.