Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Japanese Special Envoy to Sri Lanka's Peace Process met with the media yesterday. Mr. Akashi, who was concluding a weeklong visit, apprised the media of his impressions of the current visit.

"I see flexibility on the part of the government and the President remains committed to the peace process. Practically everyone wants peace and nobody wants to return to war, but neither party is making the first move. The speed of negotiations is slower than expected," he said.

Mr. Akashi said that the international community can play a vital, supporting role to encourage the parties to take steps in their mutual interest. He added that the international community has no intention of interfering in the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka, as it is up to the parties in conflict to move towards peace. "We the international community continues to be constructive in the pursuit of elusive peace," he added.

Though the donor aid amounting to 4.5 billion US dollars is closely linked to the rehabilitation and reconstruction work, the aid is not at the mercy of the peace process, he remarked.

When asked about the main difference he saw during his current visit from the previous ones, he said, "People who are critical of peace and the process like the JVP have informed me that they are not opposed to talks or peace. I detected flexibility and willingness on the part of the JVP."

"The National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation is trying to ascertain the southern consensus, he added."

"I was particularly struck by my visit to Batticaloa and Trincomalee. I was deeply moved by the yearning for peace and genuine concern about the present situation from all three communities-Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim. They firmly believe that better days, during which ethnic harmony and peace prevailed, can be brought back.

He said the Defence Pact with India was in the offing even during the previous regime and that irrespective of the Government, Sri Lanka has sought better military cooperation.

Mr. Akashi said he will be returning to Japan via India where he will inform the Indian leaders about the current situation of the peace process.

The Ceasefire Agreement is generally observed and the peace process is intact, he concluded.