Japan to continue aid to Sri Lanka

Monday, 7 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japan will continue to help Sri Lanka’s economic progress by developing its infrastructure and human resources. This follows a decision reached at a discussion Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa had with top level Japanese Government Ministers during his one week official tour of Japan from 25 September to 2 October on a Japanese Government invitation. At the discussion Minister Rajapaksa told Japanese officials that the visits to Sri Lanka of Japanese Deputy Prime Minister, Prince Tsuguko of Takamao, Senior Vice Minister of Finance, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications during the past six months on invitations President Mahinda Rajapaksa had extended to them during his Tokyo visit had helped the two countries to strengthen friendship and political relations.

Minister Rajapaksa also extended his gratitude on behalf of the Sri Lankan people to the Japanese Government for the unstinting assistance given to Sri Lanka’s economic progress by helping to develop power generation, fisheries industry, road construction and other important areas. The official discussions were held with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Taro Aso, Minister of Strengthening National Security and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Shunichi Suzuki, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Akihiro Ota, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication Yoshitaka Shindo, Senior Vice Minister of Finance Yuko Obuchi, Vice Minister of Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry (METE) Masaaki Taira, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vice President of ruling Liberal Democratic Party Masahiko Komura, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Hiroyuki Ishige, Representative of the Government of Japan for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka Ambassador Yasushi Akashi. During his Japan tour, Minister Rajapaksa participated in discussions held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Yokohama and other cities and said that Japan occupies the foremost place among countries helping Sri Lanka in all spheres. He added that special attention would be paid to further strengthening political and economic relations and cultural ties among other matters pertaining to the two countries. Minister Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest and Keynote speaker at the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Investment and Business Forum held in Tokyo on 27 September. In his address, he highlighted and underscored the newly-emerged economic vistas in the country, particularly in the North and East Provinces. The Economic Development Minister further added that Sri Lanka is well poised and positioned to be a hub of economic, commercial, services, knowledge, ports and aviation in the region and requested the Japanese investors to take the advantage of the opportunities available for them in Sri Lanka. After his address to the forum he also attended a high-level business conference along with Japan-Sri Lanka Business Cooperation Committee Chairman K. Watanabe. At this meeting Japanese businessmen showed a great interest in infrastructure development, power generation, water management, environment protection, food production, sugar industry, higher education, recreation, entertainment and small and medium scale industries. They were also briefed on steps Sri Lanka is taking to develop the tourism industry. Among those who joined Minister Rajapaksa at these talks were Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Japan Wasantha Karannagoda, Japan’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo and Treasury Director-General Dr. D.S. Jayaweera.