Apr 30, Colombo: The Japanese special peace envoy for Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi is to visit the country today for a three-day visit.

Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced that the special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi will be in the country from April 30th to May 2nd to hold discussions with Sri Lankan authorities in response to the situation in the North where hostilities between the Government and the LTTE is entering a final phase.

Akashi is scheduled to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa and some high rankers in the government as well as in the opposition.

According to the Japanese Embassy Yashushi Akashi will visit Vavuniya to observe the welfare status of Internally Displaced Persons.

"During his stay in Sri Lanka, Mr. Akashi will meet with government officials to call for ensuring the safety and security, including smooth provision of relief assistance, to internally displaced persons," a Japanese Embassy statement issued today said.

The Japanese envoy has visited Sri Lanka since 2002, when the peace process began and this will be his seventeenth visit to the country.