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Lanka invites Japan to resume projects, bring new investments
View(s):Sri Lanka has invited Japan to resume Japanese projects which are currently in the pipeline as well as to bring new investments in sectors like power and infrastructure–including ports and highways–and in dedicated investment zones as well as in the green and digital economy.
This was announced yesterday by Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry during a joint press appearance with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo. Mr. Hayashi led a high-level delegation to Sri Lanka this week, accompanied by senior officials of the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“I conveyed my expectations for further progress in the debt restructuring process and stressed the importance of a transparent and comparable debt restructuring that involves all creditor countries,” Minister Hayashi said, in a prepared statement.
Minister Hayashi conveyed the same position during his meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Sri Lankan leader responded that he will take utmost care to the transparency and comparability of the debt restructuring, a press release from the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said.
“Another significant aspect of their talks revolved around key areas of cooperation, namely the light rail transit, the East Terminal, the Kandy Development Plan, Central Highways and the expansion of BIA [Bandaranaike International Airport],” the Office of Sri Lanka’s President said.
Sri Lanka is deeply appreciative of the solidarity and the significant assistance Japan has extended to Sri Lanka in the past year, when the country was going through an unprecedented economic crisis, Minister Sabry said, in his statement. He expressed gratitude for Japan’s unwavering support and grant assistance as well as for Japan’s confidence in Sri Lanka.
“As you all are aware, during Sri Lanka’s recent negotiations with the IMF, Japan played an important supportive role in the successful outcome of the discussions with the IMF and subsequently in facilitating the unique donor platform for our debt restructuring negotiations,” he said.
The Japanese Foreign Minister also met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Sri Lanka outlined to the Japanese delegation the highest priority it places on economic recovery and sustainable growth including adequate support measures for the vulnerable segments of its society, Minister Sabry said.
Minister Hayashi was briefed, too on recent measures to enhance national reconciliation and unity, including the proposals put forward by President Wickremesinghe on power sharing under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. “Japan has encouraged Sri Lanka in our efforts,” Minister Sabry said.
The relations between Sri Lanka and Japan can be traced back to the 19th Century when many prominent Japanese figures, who built modern Japan, stopped over at Colombo during their journey to and from Europe, Minister Hayashi said, from his prepared statement.
“The people of Japan can never forget about the emotionally touching speech delivered by former President Jayewardene at the San Francisco Peace Treaty Conference in 1951 after World War II which served as a stepping stone for Japan’s return to the international community,” he recalled. “Since then, Japan has been working side by side with Sri Lanka. Japan is very eager to support Sri Lanka along the way in the future as well. Against this background, I came here to enhance the friendly relationship between our two countries.”
“I welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts under the IMF agreement, including its anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy-making process,” he said. “I also commended Sri Lanka’s efforts on national reconciliation, and expressed Japan’s intention to support Sri Lanka’s efforts.”
Among other topics discussed were pandemic recovery, ensuring food security, a just and equitable solution to the global debt crisis, addressing climate change and facilitating the transition into renewable energy, and matters related to global security such as non-proliferation and disarmament of weapons of mass destruction.
“Japan positively acknowledged the important contribution to promoting global security made by Sri Lanka recently in ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,” Minister Sabry said. Both sides referred to Sri Lanka’s upcoming Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
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