Sri Lanka and Japan agree to further enhance development cooperation
Fri, Dec 13, 2019, 09:31 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Dec 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka and Japan have once again reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations in important areas of economic development and identifying key areas of cooperation.
The key areas include ICT development, port infrastructure development including Eastern Container Terminal, Highways, Agriculture, Television Transmission Digitalization, Disaster Prevention and Security Cooperation.
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, made this observation when he met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President's Office today. An eight-member high-level delegation accompanied the Japanese Minister at the discussions.
Expressing his congratulations to President Rajapaksa for the victory of the Presidential Election, Minister Motegi stated that Sri Lanka is a "special friend of Japan".
Inviting the Sri Lankan President to visit Japan, he added, "We will be hosting an international conference called 'Friends of Asia' in May, which will be a great opportunity for you to visit our country." President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has accepted the invitation.
The Japanese Minister also expressed confidence that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow under President Rajapaksa's leadership.
"Japan intends to establish a bilateral mechanism to monitor the successful implementation of mutually agreed development projects. It will also help introduce hi-tech Japanese technology companies to Sri Lanka," he added.
President Rajapaksa said although Sri Lanka's economy is small, the country has a skilled, educated and talented workforce.
"Our economy is small. But we have a skilled educated and talented workforce. My ambition is to create a high technology economy that is labor oriented. We look forward to the support of Japan in reaching that goal."
The President said Sri Lanka is open to foreign investments, especially from countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and Singapore.
Focusing on regional cooperation, the Japanese minister expressed his country's commitment to the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. He added that safety, security, and stability are the key areas of regional cooperation.
In response, President Rajapaksa said that the Indian Ocean should remain as a conflict-free, peaceful zone.
President Rajapaksa stressing his position on foreign relations, especially regarding Chinese investments, said Sri Lanka would remain neutral. "Sri Lanka does not want to get caught up in the clashes of world powers. We seek friendship with other countries and reject domination."
The Japanese Minister said that his country stands for peace, stability and reconciliation among the communities of Sri Lanka
"The political process of reconciliation should go ahead with overall economic development, improving infrastructure and uplifting the quality of life of the people, especially in the North and East," President Rajapaksa said.
Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama and Secretary to the President Dr. PB Jayasundara were also present at the discussion.
Fri, Dec 13, 2019, 09:31 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Dec 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka and Japan have once again reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations in important areas of economic development and identifying key areas of cooperation.The key areas include ICT development, port infrastructure development including Eastern Container Terminal, Highways, Agriculture, Television Transmission Digitalization, Disaster Prevention and Security Cooperation.
Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who is on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, made this observation when he met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President's Office today. An eight-member high-level delegation accompanied the Japanese Minister at the discussions.
Inviting the Sri Lankan President to visit Japan, he added, "We will be hosting an international conference called 'Friends of Asia' in May, which will be a great opportunity for you to visit our country." President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has accepted the invitation.
The Japanese Minister also expressed confidence that the bilateral relationship will continue to grow under President Rajapaksa's leadership.
"Japan intends to establish a bilateral mechanism to monitor the successful implementation of mutually agreed development projects. It will also help introduce hi-tech Japanese technology companies to Sri Lanka," he added.
President Rajapaksa said although Sri Lanka's economy is small, the country has a skilled, educated and talented workforce.
"Our economy is small. But we have a skilled educated and talented workforce. My ambition is to create a high technology economy that is labor oriented. We look forward to the support of Japan in reaching that goal."
The President said Sri Lanka is open to foreign investments, especially from countries such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and Singapore.
Focusing on regional cooperation, the Japanese minister expressed his country's commitment to the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. He added that safety, security, and stability are the key areas of regional cooperation.
In response, President Rajapaksa said that the Indian Ocean should remain as a conflict-free, peaceful zone.
President Rajapaksa stressing his position on foreign relations, especially regarding Chinese investments, said Sri Lanka would remain neutral. "Sri Lanka does not want to get caught up in the clashes of world powers. We seek friendship with other countries and reject domination."
The Japanese Minister said that his country stands for peace, stability and reconciliation among the communities of Sri Lanka
"The political process of reconciliation should go ahead with overall economic development, improving infrastructure and uplifting the quality of life of the people, especially in the North and East," President Rajapaksa said.
Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama and Secretary to the President Dr. PB Jayasundara were also present at the discussion.
