Japan-Sri Lanka Relations
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
September 28, 2022
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On September 28, commencing at 1:40 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who was visiting Japan to attend the state funeral for the late ABE Shinzo. The summary of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude to President Wickremesinghe for attending the state funeral. In response, President Wickremesinghe expressed his deep condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Abe while stating that he was even more shocked because he had opportunities to have friendly talks with former Prime Minister Abe when he was prime minister.
- Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan hopes to further strengthen the bilateral relations toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in this year that marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that the Japanese government is implementing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, a traditionally friendly country for Japan, in response to its current humanitarian situation.
- Prime Minister Kishida pointed out the importance of implementing development finance in a transparent and comparable manner, consistent with the international rules and standards. With regard to Sri Lanka’s debt issue, Prime Minister Kishida and President Wickremesinghe concurred that it is important that debt restructuring will be carried out with the participation of all the creditor countries in a transparent and comparable manner.
- The two leaders exchanged views on regional affairs and shared the recognition that any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force are not acceptable.