Japanese Foreign Minister visits Colombo Port

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono on Friday paid a special visit to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) during his official visit to Sri Lanka. 

SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake presenting a token of goodwill to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono while also seen are Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma and SLPA Vice Chairman P.G. Dasanayake 

The significant visit was after 15 years of a Japanese Foreign Minister touring in Sri Lanka and also the first time a Japanese Foreign Minister ever paid a visit to the Port of Colombo. The Minister also visited the newly built control tower and the Colombo Port Expansion Project currently known as the Colombo south Port. The Japanese Foreign Minister was briefed by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake about the project, the consideration to expand the facility and the ‘Three Year Plan’ that has currently been initiated to develop the Port of Colombo. 

SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake also emphasised that the Port of Colombo was located within the strategically important Indian Ocean sea lanes governing the region’s maritime business in view of making it the hub of the marine region. “The Japanese Government in numerous occasions has been involved in building port facilities in the Port of Colombo for many years. The construction of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and establishment of its operational superstructure way back in 1980s, enabled enhance the identity of the port during past decades as an efficient maritime centre in the region,” he added. 

SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake briefing Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono about the Colombo Port Expansion Project while Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma, SLPA Harbour Master Capt. Athula Hewawitharana and SLPA Actg. Chief Manager (C & PR) Nalin Aponso look on

The high profile Japanese delegation at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) included Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Kono and also a special team of Japanese journalists from the country’s press and electronic media. 

The officials of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) including the Vice Chairman P.G. Dasanayake, Harbour Master Capt. Athula Hewawitharana, Chief Manager (M & BD) Upul Jayatissa and the Actg. Chief Manager (C & PR) Nalin Aponso also attended the occasion.