Namal meets leading Japanese dignitaries in Tokyo

MP and Special Envoy of the President Namal Rajapaksa on an official visit to Tokyo, held discussions with several Japanese dignitaries including Former Japanese Prime Ministers Yasuo Fukuda and Yukio Hatoyama, Japanese Parliamentarians Yuko Obuchi, and Tetsuro Fukuyama, in addition to detailed discussions with Japan’s Special Representative, Yasushi Akashi.

At these discussions, Rajapaksa highlighted the rapid development and steady progress being made in the North Eastern region of Sri Lanka. He emphasised the important role played by the Government in resettling the people back in their villages in the North East and the reconstruction of their homes, which is a key priority of the Government.

Rajapaksa explained informed of his work in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi areas of the country, stressing that a number of young parliamentarians from the south are now very much involved in development projects of the North Eastern region.

He further informed that the reconciliation program for rehabilitated cadres is also progressing successfully and a large number of rehabilitated cadres have now been sent back to their villages with special financial assistance given by the Government for them to start their own self-employment projects. Special assistance and schemes are being facilitated by the Government for widows who have lost their families to find self employment.

Rajapaksa further emphasised that while reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation are key areas of priority for the Government, there is strong commitment to the people of this region with 70 per cent of foreign grants and loans already being extended by the Government to the development of this region.

Former Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda reiterated Japan’s strong commitment and friendship over the years with Sri Lanka and acknowledged the support given by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 in sending a 15 member disaster relief team and the distribution of tea and food in disaster struck areas.  Rajapaksa, while explaining the development and progress almost three years after the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka suggested that young parliamentary delegations from both countries should visit each other’s countries to witness the rapid development in the country.

Rajapaksa at a meeting with Former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama appreciated the commitment and support given to Sri Lanka by Japan and the continuous grants and loans that have been extended for development in the country. Hatoyama stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken great efforts in defeating terrorism in Sri Lanka and now it is very encouraging to see the development that is taking place in Sri Lanka. He was also very appreciative of the support given by Sri Lanka to Japan at a time when the country was struck by a natural disaster and looked forward to stronger bilateral relations in the coming years.