Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League conducts General Meeting in Tokyo
Saturday, 7 December 2013 00:00
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The Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary League conducted its General Meeting at the Diet Members Office Building on 4 December, 2013. Approximately, 30 members of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary League, both from the House of Councillors (Upper House) and from the House of Representatives (Lower House), were present at the meeting. The league has a total number of 81 members consisting of 53 members from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), 17 from the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and from other political parties.
The key objectives of the Parliamentary League are to strengthen and to deepen the relations between the two countries, in all spheres, and to promote friendship and culture, thus mutually benefitting both the countries. For the record, during the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Japan last March, a breakfast meeting was hosted for the members of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary League.
At the General Meeting, LDP Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiko Komura was formally confirmed as the President of the League. Former Minister and the daughter of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, Yuko Obuchi, functions as the Secretary-General and as Chief Secretary of the Parliamentary League. Her father Keizo Obuchi, was instrumental in forming the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary League. The board members of the Parliamentary League consist of senior political figures and former Ministers of the Government of Japan. President of the League Masahiko Komura in his opening remarks underlined the importance and significance of the Parliamentary League and thanked the members and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda for being present at the General Meeting.
Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda highlighted that Japan has been extending Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Sri Lanka since 1954. The ODA, which has markedly enhanced during the last couple of years, has significantly contributed to the economic and social advancement and progression of Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda emphasised the opportunities in maritime cooperation between the two countries and a number of Parliamentarian Members of the League spoke with gratitude on the support extended at the San Francisco Peace Conference and during the Tsunami of 2011.
Secretary-General Obuchi stated that the Members of the Parliamentary League wish to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient period in May or in August of next year.
