Ambassador Karannagoda calls on Japan's Senior Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Tuesday, 29 April 2014 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda met with the Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Norio Mitsuya, this week, as a follow up to the recently held Human Rights Council (HRC) elections in Geneva. Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda expressed the gratitude of the Government of Sri Lanka and of himself to the Government of Japan and to Minister Mitsuya for assuming the position of abstention of the vote on the Resolution against Sri Lanka at the HRC, thus demonstrating to the international community that Japan stands and upholds justice and fair play.

Minister Mitsuya stated to Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda that the firm position of Japan is to engage and to encourage the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka opposed to that of voting for Resolutions, which is counterproductive. He further added that Sri Lanka has transcended to the next stage of economic advancement and expressed eagerness to know more about the aspects of development. Whilst Admiral Karannagoda expounded the dynamics and developments of the reconciliation process as well as economic development, he also added that fragments of the LTTE and supporters of the LTTE domiciled, particularly, in the western countries continue to influence the political apparatuses of those countries with false propaganda, thus impeding the reconciliation and developmental process. Mitsuya placed on record his appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka and, particularly, to the Embassy for the assistance extended during the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, 2011. Karannagoda also stated that the Government and the peoples of Sri Lanka are most grateful to the Government of Japan for diverse socio-economic and infrastructural assistance extended, over the last four decades, including that of the assistance during the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. Karannagoda stated that tourism from Japan to Sri Lanka has doubled during the last three years as well as investments, in excess of USD 560 million, were committed by corporates and industries of Japan during the said period, reflecting the potentiality and the rapid economic trajectory of Sri Lanka. The two dignitaries also underlined the significance and ensuing utility of the visits of VVIPs, from both the countries, that took place during the last couple of years. Both the Minister and the Ambassador broached the myriad courses of action which would lead to further deepening and widening of already strong bilateral relations between the two countries. Director Makoto Matsuda and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Assistant Director Takeshi Ozaki were present with the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Saj Mendis was associated with Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda during the meeting.