President left for Japan

President Maithripala Sirisena left for Japan today to participate in the G–7 Summit to be held on the 26th and 27 in Ise-Shima in Japan. The President and the delegation left the country from Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake at 2.25 pm by Emirates passenger plane.

President Sirisena is participating in this summit on an official invitation made by the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe as an Outreach Partner. This is the first time a Sri Lankan leader has been invited to this summit.

The objective of this year’s summit is to share the key values of democracy, rule of law and human rights by pointing out the best way towards the peace and prosperity. The summit will focus attention on the global economy and trade, foreign policy, climate change and energy, development, quality infrastructure development, health and women.

President Sirisena will make use of this rare opportunity which has been given to a leader of a non-member country to participate in the G7 Summit to promote the country’s image and attract economic partnerships and investment from the world.

Experts point out that this official invitation for President Sirisena symbolizes the positive attitude of the international community towards Sri Lanka’s way forward as a sustainable democracy and a potential economic hub in Asia.

Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Mangala Samaraweera, Malik Samarawickrama, Naveen Dissanayake and Mahinda Amaraweera accompanied the President in this visit to Japan.