Ranil to address Japanese P’ment today; talks with PM Abe

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is on a State visit in Tokyo will address the Japanese Parliament today, followed by top level meeting with Premier Shinzo Abe.

Today’s address in Parliament and meeting with Abe are key highlights of Wickremesinghe’s five-day visit that began on Sunday. After the meeting the two Prime Ministers will hold a joint press conference. Thereafter Abe will host Wickremesinghe to an official banquet.

He is also expected to attend a luncheon hosted by Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentarians League after addressing the Parliament.

Yesterday the Premier met Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Taro Aso, Internal Affairs and Communication Sanae Takaichi and ruling Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Masahiko Komura.

Among today’s meetings are with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Youichi Miyazawa and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as well as JICA President Prof. S. Kitaoka.

Tomorrow Prime Minister will have an audience with Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, apart from attending a private luncheon hosted by former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

Wickremesinghe is accompanied by Maithree Wickremesinghe and other members of the Sri Lanka delegation include Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Technology, Technical Education and Employment Minister Susil Premajayantha, Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Ekanayake, Additional Secretary Saman Athaudahetti and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Sandra Perera.