The Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi informed the media yesterday that the financial aid pledged by the donors at the Tokyo Donor Conference will continue albeit the present constitutional crisis in the country. He commented that the peace process in Sri Lanka is progressing but the peace negotiations are stalled.

Akashi said that due to the present crisis some donors are “reviewing the situation” and “there may be significant modifications in the speed of the delivery of the assistance.” “As to the commitment made nobody said that they would go back on their word and commitment,” he added. But, as to the Tokyo declaration there could even be an incentive apart from the 4.5 billion US$ pledged. “This incentive is out of the question now,” he said.

Commenting on his meetings with the Prime Minister and the President, he expressed the view that both leaders feel the necessity to resolve the present crisis to attain sustainable peace. “They are the main stakeholders. We, the donor community will do our best to assist to re-launch the task of achieving stability, which is a precondition for all to live.”

On his visit to the Vanni he had this to say:“I saw with my own eyes that there are signs of improvement. But according to Mr. Thamilchelvam, the changes are so negligible.”

Asked whether he was optimistic about the peace process and the present constitutional crisis, Akashi said “ I am a long-term optimist and a short-term pessimist. The dust in Colombo may settle with a good shower and peace negotiations can start.”