Japan-Sri Lanka Relations
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga Receives a Courtesy Call from Finance Minister of Sri Lanka
On July 1, commencing at around 5:20 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, received a courtesy call from Hon. Ravi Karnanayake, Minister of Finance of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, during his visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Opening Remarks and Bilateral Relationship
At the beginning of the meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga welcomed Minister Karnanayake to Japan, and stated that Japan intends to build a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka’s new government and to actively assist their fresh effort for the nation-building. In response, Minister Karnanayake expressed his expectations that Japan, as an important friend of Sri Lanka, plays an important role in the region, as well as his intention to strengthen the bilateral friendship.
2 Economy and Economic Cooperation
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga expressed that Japan would like to expand trade and investment with Sri Lanka, the hub of economic community in Indian Ocean. Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga also stated that Japan would like to actively cooperate both in finance and technology to build infrastructure in Sri Lanka, in the view of making Partnership for Quality Infrastructure. In response, Minister Karnanayake expressed his gratitude for continued assistance from Japan including Official Development Assistance. Minister Karnanayake also expressed expectations for Japan’s investment, high technology, and assistances that benefits people in Sri Lanka.
3 Situation of Sri Lanka
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga expressed his hope that the expected general election in August would be held in a fair and democratic manner. In response, Minister Karnanayake expressed his view that the general election, similarly to the presidential election held in January this year, would reflect democratic will of the people of Sri Lanka.