Japan’s new envoy to boost ties with Sri Lanka

Japan’s new ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki this week pledged to boost bilateral ties with Sri Lanka including new job opportunities to skilled workers.

He gave this assurance when he called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday.

Over the past few years, Sri Lanka and Japan have entered into two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for the recruitment of low-skilled and specialised skilled workers.

According to Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, under the Specified Skilled Workers Recruitment Program (SSWRP) Sri Lanka has been allowed to send workers to Japan in 14 sectors.

The Premier pointed out that there is a growing interest in the youth community to learn Japanese as well as finding job opportunities in Japan.

The new envoy also said that during his tenure, he would like to focus on promoting investment in the country.

There are currently about 75 Japanese investment projects in operation in Sri Lanka. Japan has invested about $ 382 million over the past 15 years, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

The recent opening of the Bandaranaike International Airport with the contribution of the Government of Japan, the new airstrip and runway, the Kalyani Golden Gate Bridge and the Kandy Urban Wastewater Management Project were also discussed.