Japan minister praises Lanka reconciliation efforts

COLOMBO: Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa commended Sri Lanka’s efforts on national reconciliation and expressed Japan’s intention to support the island nation’s efforts.

The minister and President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in discussions concerning the bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka, with a mutual commitment to further strengthen their traditionally robust ties.

The visiting Japanese minister paid a courtesy call to President Wickremesinghe in Colombo earlier today.

President Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for their support in the debt restructuring process and shared the details of French President Emmanuel Macron’s offer, aiming to play a pivotal role in enhancing the common platform for debt restructuring and expediting the process.

Another significant aspect of their talks revolved around key areas of cooperation, namely the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highway, and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport, according to the PMD. Both parties expressed the importance of expediting the implementation of these projects.

Additionally, they have delved into bilateral, regional, and global issues, emphasizing their shared commitment to maintaining the region as a peaceful and stable area.

President Wickremesinghe also highlighted the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s high-tech industries, envisioning a transformation from a labour market-oriented economy to one that caters to cutting-edge technological advancements. This strategic move is expected to present significant prospects for Japanese investors, the PMD added.

During the bilateral talks, Minister Yoshimasa welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement including its anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy-making process.