Among many other additional assignments, he was the Secretary-General's Personal Representative for the war in the former Yugoslavia. He also supervised the Cambodianpeace negotiations and subsequent elections in 1993. Despite his successes there, he was strongly criticized for his subsequent role in the Balkans, particularly for failing to enforce the safety of civilians in a number of safe zones,[2] such as Goražde,[3] and his inability to prevent the massacre in Srebrenica.[4]
Akashi was expected to visit Sri Lanka in the last week of September 2006 to help facilitate negotiations between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government.[5] In the past, Akashi has met with JVP official Somawansa Amarasinghe.[6]
^"National Honours Ceremony 2019 held under the patronage of President". President's Media Division. August 19, 2019. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. The Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi was presented with the Sri Lanka Rathna, the first-ever highest national honour conferred on non-nationals in order to recognize his distinguished and exceptional service rendered towards the nation.