Japan offers to host Lanka talks

Published December 12, 2005

COLOMBO, Dec 11: Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi on Sunday invited Sri Lanka and Tamil Tiger rebels to meet in Japan for talks to save their ceasefire, which is threatened with collapse after 31 people were killed in fresh violence. Akashi said he offered his country as a venue for talks between the government and the Tamil rebels after months of wrangling over a neutral venue to discuss the salvaging of their Norwegian-brokered ceasefire.

“Japan would be delighted if the parties agree to Japan to have the talks,” Akashi told reporters at the end of a five-day visit, during which he held talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse and other key leaders.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...