Japan to extend fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka for IORA tenure and economic recovery

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro said his country would continue to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process and congratulated the Government for stabilising the economy during a short period and making further progress. 

He expressed confidence that structural reforms undertaken by the Government would improve the conducive atmosphere for foreign investments. 

During his discussion with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees yesterday, the Foreign Minister said his visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has allowed him to interact with Sri Lankan leadership regarding bilateral cooperation. He assured the fullest support to Sri Lanka at IORA, during its two-year tenure as Chairman. 

The Prime Minister, referring to the fact that Sri Lanka is situated at a strategic juncture along the seaplanes of the Indian Ocean and an important partner in realising a free and open Indo-Pacific policy, emphasised the importance of close cooperation between the two countries with common principles. 

Expressing deep concern over the escalation of conflict in the Gaza Strip, he said COVID had resulted in a global economic downturn and the world, especially the developing countries could not face another such disaster over a military conflict. 

He urged the two sides involved in the conflict to cease violence immediately. The Prime Minister thanked the Japanese Minister for the support extended to Sri Lanka for the debt restructuring process and assured that Sri Lanka is committed to a transparent and comparable debt restructuring process. 

Minister Komura Masahiro commended Sri Lanka’s efforts in implementing the policy-making process through the agreement with the IMF and expressed his hope that Sri Lanka will bring itself back on track for development as soon as possible. 

The delegation included Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, Secretary to the Vice Minister Nanao Eiichiro, Southwest Asian Affairs Director Tsutsumi Taro Division and Director Tokita Yuji. Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, State Ministers Sisira Jayakody and Janaka Wakkumbura, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, and Colombo University Vice Chancellor Prof. H.D. Karunaratne were also present at this meeting.