Japan welcomes SL’s efforts in areas of reconstruction, reconciliation and human rights

“Japan welcomes the efforts made by Sri Lanka in the areas of reconstruction, reconciliation and human rights after the conflict,” said Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (13). President Rajapaksa is currently on a four day official visit to Japan, which began on Monday.

Kishida thanked the President for all the support given by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan two years ago. The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed hope that President Rajapaksa’s visit to his country would further strengthen the long standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

President Rajapaksa also conveyed his gratitude to Japan and its people for their support when Sri Lanka was struck by the tsunami in 2004. He described the developments being made in Sri Lanka after the defeat of terrorism and also thanked Japan for its assistance for the construction of the new hospital facility in Jaffna. The Foreign Minister of Japan assured their continued support to Sri Lanka in its economic development drive.

Earlier in the day, Katsuyuki Kawai, member of Japan’s House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee in Foreign Affairs, called on President Rajapaksa. “Sri Lanka has been making the most remarkable progress in recent past,” said Kawai during the discussion. He attributed this progress to the President’s great leadership.