By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The Japanese peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, said Tuesday that it may be necessary to review Japan’s multi-million dollar aid to Sri Lanka. Mr. Akashi is concerned by the Sri Lankan government’s decision to formally end a six-year ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers.

During Mr. Akashi’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka, he urged the government “to improve the island’s human rights situation and offer a devolution package to the rebels.”

Mr. Akashi and the rest of the international community are shocked and worried that the end of the ceasefire will lead to more violence and civilian casualties. The Sri Lankan government will formally annul the ceasefire on Wednesday, which some predict will lead to “all-out war and the breakdown of peace talks.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government says that it is intent on defeating the rebels militarily. He accuses the rebels of not being sincere about talking peace, but instead using the peace pact to regroup and rearm.

Japan is Sri Lanka’s main foreign donor, giving about $9 billion in grants, loans, and aid since 1985. Japan has not pledged any aid yet for this year, but also has not halted any existing aid. Mr. Akashi said future aid would depend on closely monitoring the situation, which would be subject to continuous review.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Japan aid under review as Sri Lanka axes truce – 15 January 2008

AFP – Sri Lanka kills rebels, hits back at foreign critics – 14 January 2008

BBC News – Japan ‘reviews’ aid to Sri Lanka – 15 January 2008

BBC News – Sri Lanka ceasefire formally ends – 15 January 2008