SL President, Japan PM to enhance security in Indian Ocean

Saturday, 16 March 2013 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a four-day official visit to Japan held bilateral discussions yesterday with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on a wide range of issues.

During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to upgrade and enhance bilateral cooperation and discussions to address maritime security issues effectively with common concerns and strengthen coast guard patrol, in the Indian Ocean, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency said.

Japan and Sri Lanka also agreed to share responsibility in ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean region and agreed to expand cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries, in such areas as law-enforcement and disaster-prevention, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting. The Government of Japan has agreed to provide Sri Lanka US$ 426.2 million in loans and US$ 28 million in grants for the island’s infrastructure development and disaster prevention.

Japan is apprehensive of China’s influence in the Indian Ocean, especially, on Sri Lanka with its assistance for mega infrastructure projects in the island such as the Hambantota Port in the South.

Japan has been the largest donor for Sri Lanka for some time until China claimed the position with one billion US$ assistance in 2011. President Rajapaksa who arrived in Japan on Tuesday met with the Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera on 14 March on cooperation and exchanges between the two countries maritime forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe attend the summit meeting at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office on 14 March during President Rajapaksa’s four-day official visit to Japan

During the summit meeting, both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe confirmed the importance of national reconciliation for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, noting that peace and prosperity following the end of the war is a paramount need

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe sign the joint statement that would, among other aspects, expand maritime cooperation between the two countries

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Japan Admiral (Rtd.) Wasantha Karannagoda and Japan’s Ambassador in Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo sign an agreement that would provide development assistance totalling Yen 43.8 billion to Sri Lanka to be used in areas including infrastructure development and disaster prevention

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe address the media at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office on 14 March following the summit meeting

Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa (L) speaks with Japan’s Empress Michiko (C) next to Crown Prince Naruhito (R) at the start of a luncheon at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo March 14, 2013, in this handout picture released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. REUTERS/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout

Japan’s Emperor Akihito (R) speaks with Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi, at the start of a luncheon at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo March 14, 2013, in this handout picture released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. REUTERS/The Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout