Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry conveyed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation for the solidarity and assistance Japan has extended in the past years when the country was going through the unprecedented economic crisis.

Addressing a joint media briefing this afternoon (04) with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry stated that the country remains very grateful to Japan for the important supportive role it played in the external debt restructuring process as a co-chair of the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), as well as for its grant assistance.

“I have highlighted that Sri Lanka has worked diligently to stabilize the economy, enhance debt sustainability and implement growth-oriented structural reforms. As of today, the country has not only recovered from an economic collapse but has experienced a rapid revival, showcasing the resilience and determination of the Sri Lankan people”, he added.

“We expect conclusion of the debt restructuring process in time for the next tranche of the IMF process”, the Sri Lankan minister said.

Meanwhile, Ali Sabry also invited Japan, as a trusted partner of Sri Lanka, to resume the Japanese investment projects which are currently in the pipeline and invited fresh investments from Japan in several sectors such as power, infrastructure including port and highways sectors, dedicated investment zones as well as in green and digital economy.

“I welcomed Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) extended to Sri Lanka over the past decades through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as one of Sri Lanka’s key development partners”, he further mentioned.