Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi will arrive here later this month to push for the early resumption of peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels, the state-owned Sunday Observer newspaper reported.

Akashi, who is due to be here on Oct. 27, will hold talks with high ranking officials of both the government and the opposition in capital Colombo and the leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in the rebel-held northern town of Kilinochchi.

He is expected to raise the issues of LTTE's recruitment of child soldiers and political killings in the north and east as well as in Colombo when he meets the LTTE leadership.

Akashi will also meet diplomats of countries concerned in Sri Lanka including representatives from international organizations over the issues of peace in the country.

On his way back home, Akashi will meet with Indian leaders and diplomats who are concerned about the Norwegian-brokered peace process in Sri Lanka.

He said that the Japanese government is optimistic over the peace process in Sri Lanka and pledged Japan's continuous assistance for reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Peace talks between the government and the LTTE rebels have been on hold since April last year after six previous rounds whichstarted in September 2002.