Basil tells Japan Lanka wants dialogue

Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa has assured Japan the Government of Sri Lanka intended to solve problems through dialogue and even when the Government had to use force it would take precautions to avoid harming any civilians.

Playing a new role as the President’s foreign envoy, Mr. Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation to Japan for its support for the peace process, economic assistance and for support in reconstruction of buildings damaged during the tsunami. He was in Japan on a five-day visit during which he met Foreign Minister Taro Aso in Tokyo.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso greeting Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa – yet another role for the President’s brother

During Mr. Rajapaksa’s visit the Japanese Foreign Minister announced a loan package amounting to 39.2 billion Japanese yen for three projects - the Greater Colombo Urban Transport Development Project, the Water and Sanitation Sector Development Project and the Pro-poor Rural Development Project.

Minister Aso said Japan was pleased to announce a significant increase in the Japanese Government’s annual loan package from 33 billion yen to 39.2 billion yen. The Japanese Government would also be extending non-project grant aid to Sri Lanka amounting to yen 1.2 billion for 2007.

Mr. Aso expected an active exchange of opinions and changing bilateral relations in both political and economic aspects in the Japan-Sri Lanka Policy and Economy consultations which will be held in Sri Lanka in March.

He also said Japan expected to contribute to Sri Lanka's mid and long-term economic development, poverty alleviation and the consolidation of peace.

Mr. Rajapaksa expressed the Government’s appreciation of the role played by Japan as a Co-Chair in Sri Lanka’s peace process, as well as the support extended by Japan towards international initiatives launched to curb the LTTE’s clandestine financing and arms procurement activities conducted overseas adding that Sri Lanka intended to solve problems through negotiations but if the Government had to use force, it would try to avoid victimizing even one person.

Mr. Aso praised the stance of the Government of Sri Lanka against terrorism and said it was necessary to have a dialogue to achieve peace while expressing the hope that the devolution package and proposals to resolve the ethnic conflict would be ready soon.