Sri Lanka has turned to Japan for help after turning its back to strategic and viable infrastructure projects such US$ 1.8 billion light rail project and the US$500 million Eastern Port Container terminal project that Japan was planning in partnership with India.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is personally involved in wooing Japan for assistance to boost foreign resources.
Foreign Minister G.L Peiris met with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Miyake Shingo on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council session in Geneva to strengthen bilateral relations between the countries.
Perris has pointed out that Japan was a close development partner of Sri Lanka for decades and appreciates the Japanese projects in Sri Lanka on skills development and computer technology. He has also outlined the various outright grants Japan has donated to Sri Lanka, such as the Sri Jayewardenapura hospital.
Minister Peiris has also recalled the support extended by Sri Lanka at the San Francisco Summit at the end of World War II.
Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister has said that the diplomatic relations between the two countries have reached 70 years and looking forward to enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries before the centenary celebrations.
Minister Pereishas pointed out that Sri Lanka was looking forward to expanding its cooperation on maritime activities, including digitization, carbon licensing, coastal conservation, fisheries and global warming with Japan.
