Japanese FM, Sri Lanka President discuss cooperation and regional stability

Foreign Minister of Japan Hayashi Yoshimasa and President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (July 29) engaged in discussions concerning the bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka, with a mutual commitment to further strengthen their traditionally robust ties.

The visiting Japanese minister paid a courtesy call to President Wickremesinghe in Colombo earlier today.

President Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for their support in the debt restructuring process and shared the details of French President Emmanuel Macron’s offer, aiming to play a pivotal role in enhancing the common platform for debt restructuring and expediting the process.

Another significant aspect of their talks revolved around key areas of cooperation, namely the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highway, and the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport, according to the PMD. Both parties expressed the importance of expediting the implementation of these projects.

Additionally, they have delved into bilateral, regional, and global issues, emphasizing their shared commitment to maintaining the region as a peaceful and stable area.

President Wickremesinghe also highlighted the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s high-tech industries, envisioning a transformation from a labour market-oriented economy to one that caters to cutting-edge technological advancements. This strategic move is expected to present significant prospects for Japanese investors, the PMD added.

During the bilateral talks, Minister Yoshimasa welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement including its anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy-making process.

The Japanese legislator commended Sri Lanka’s efforts on national reconciliation and expressed Japan’s intention to support the island nation’s efforts.

Recalling the speech delivered by former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayawardena at the San Francisco Peace Treaty Conference in 1951 after the World War II, Minister Yoshimasa said Japan has been working side by side with Sri Lanka since then and is quite eager to support the island nation along the way in the future as well.

Emphasizing the importance of Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean and the fact that the island nation is an important partner in realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, the Japanese minister spoke of the new plan for FOIP that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in March 2023. He said Japan attaches importance to cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) which Sri Lanka will chair from October. 

The Japanese foreign minister, noting that his country attaches importance to the universalization and promotion of entry into force of the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, welcome Sri Lanka’s move to ratify the Treaty.

The visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, arrived in Sri Lanka on the night of July 28 for a two-day official visit. During his stay, he is engaging in discussions on bilateral relations with President Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Minister Ali Sabry.

Accompanying Minister Yoshimasa for these discussions were esteemed Japanese officials, including Murakami Manabu, the Senior Foreign Policy Coordinator; Arima Yutaka, the Director General of Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs; Endo Kazuya, the Director General of International Cooperation; and Okano Yukiko, the Deputy Press Secretary from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Additionally, present at the talks were Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Tomosaburo Esaki, Executive Assistant to the Minister, Taro Tsutsumi, Director of the Southwest Asian Affairs Division, and a delegation of Japanese Foreign Ministry officials.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, the Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, Economic Advisor to the President Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunge.