Nimal Siripala takes up delay in Japan-funded BIA expansion

Saturday, 25 June 2022 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Recalls Japan has always come forward to help SL in “hour of need”

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday reiterated that Japan has always come forward to help Sri Lanka in the hour of need.

“Japan has always assisted in the development of Sri Lanka for the closer political and socio-economic ties between the two countries and we are grateful of the people of Japan who always came forward to help Sri Lankans at their hour of need,” the Minister said during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki.

Recalling of the immense assistance extended by the Japanese Government for the Peradeniya Children’s Hospital, Polonnaruwa General Hospital and many other health sector development projects during his tenure as the Minister of Health, the Minister also regretted the cancellation of important development projects signed between Japan and Sri Lanka due to several political decisions taken in the past.

He said that on the invitation of the World Health Organisation (WHO), he also served a Consultant to the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe also known as the WHO Kobe Centre.

The Minister emphasised the Ambassador, on the delay of construction of the Phase II of the Bandaranaike International Airport, commenced with a loan facility from the Government of Japan. A special report on the matter was also handed over by the Minister to the Japanese Ambassador. In particular, the Minister said that the Sri Lankan media has repeatedly raised the issue accusing him, as the Subject Minister and the Government, of delays in the said constructions at the airport.

The Japanese Ambassador said that he had been informed that the construction works were delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the current fuel crisis in Sri Lanka and pointed out that several other foreign companies engaged in the construction industry in Sri Lanka have also faced the situation.

The Ambassador expressed his confidence to resolve the matter soon and urged the Minister to sustain the strong ties and credibility secured and continued between Japan and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Since, 65% of the payments for the constructions of the Phase II of the Bandaranaike International Airport is made via Japanese Yen, and if such foreign exchange could be utilised to purchase quantities of fuel required for the construction work from foreign exporters, the Minister said that the Government could facilitate unloading them in discussion with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

The Minister also requested a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), Taisai Corporation Japan that has undertaken the constructions of the project and the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka Ltd. with the presence of Japanese Ambassador, the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation and staff to discuss the issues on the Phase II constructions of the Bandaranaike International Airport. He also requested the Ambassador to encourage Japanese investors for the proposed new industrial Zone related to the Port of Trincomalee.

First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy Chiharu HOSHIAI, Japan Deputy Head of Mission KATSUKI Kotaro, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra and Additional Secretary Sunil Gunarathna also attended the meeting.