- Reiterates support for economic reforms, debt restructuring
- Stalled BIA, LRT projects to recommence
- Yen denominated loans to be resumed
Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yōko Kamikawa who called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat, commended the President’s efforts to overcome the economic crisis, as well as pursuing an ambitious economic reform agenda.
During the extensive discussion with President Wickremesinghe, Minister Kamikawa outlined her Government’s intention to resume the Yen denominated loans and the stalled Japanese investment initiatives including the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project and the Colombo-Malabe Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
The deliberation also encompassed discussions on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to debt restructuring in Sri Lanka. Japan, along with the Paris Club and India, is involved in debt restructuring efforts and negotiations with Sri Lanka.
Minister Kamikawa, an ardent supporter of women’s rights and gender equality, commended the President’s efforts to bring about legislation in the country regarding this vital matter.
The President expressed his thanks to the Government and the people of Japan for their support for Sri Lanka during the country’s hour of need.
He said that the cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan must be strengthened, which will benefit both countries.
The President was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, PC, Senior Advisor on National Security and the Chief-of-Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardena, Senior Advisor on Economic Affairs Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga and Director of International Affairs Dinouk Colombage.
Earlier, during a meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister Kamikawa said Japan is quite confident about Sri Lanka’s economic recovery as the country has made a satisfactory initial recovery after facing a severe economic downturn.
The Prime Minister briefed the visiting Foreign Minister about the progress in the ongoing debt restructuring process with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Paris Club and other donor nations. He also apprised the Japanese Foreign Minister on the implementation of the Aswesuma program to assist and uplift low-income and vulnerable segments.
Minister Kamikawa Yoko expressed appreciation over the progress and said that Japan expects Sri Lanka to expedite restructuring arrangements with China and private lenders (ISB holders) too.
The Prime Minister thanked Japan for the assistance provided for Buddhist religious centres including the proposed Mahavihara University in Anuradhapura and said it was significant that the Japanese Minister is visiting Sri Lanka in the month of Vesak, the most sacred period of the Buddhist calendar.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko was accompanied at all meetings by senior officials of the Japanese Foreign Ministry and Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki. She earlier held bilateral talks with her Sri Lankan counterpart Minister Sabry.
