Japan-Sri Lanka Relations
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Gunawardena of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka by Foreign Minister Kamikawa
May 4, 2024
On May 4, commencing at 3:25 p.m. (local time; 6:55 p.m. JST) for approximately 30 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call on Hon. Mr. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Gunawardena welcomed Minister Kamikawa’s visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his gratitude for the support from Japan so far, and Minister Kamikawa commended that the Government of Sri Lanka is addressing the debt issues and promoting reforms to overcome the economic crisis, and she expressed confidence that through such efforts, Sri Lanka will once again develop, and that Japan will provide maximum support.
- Minister Kamikawa stated the importance of early signing of the memorandum of understanding on debt restructuring with the Official Creditor Committee and swift implementation of debt restructuring with all creditors in a transparent and comparable manner, as well as the need to work on anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy making process in accordance with the agreement with the IMF. Minister Kamikawa also expressed Japan’s intention to further support Sri Lanka's development by swiftly resuming yen loans for existing projects once the MOU on debt restructuring is signed and the Sri Lankan government's intention to swiftly conclude a bilateral agreement is confirmed. Minister kamikawa also requested improvement of the business environment in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Gunawardena explained the domestic reform efforts currently being undertaken by the government, and reiterated his appreciation for Japan's contribution to the discussions on debt restructuring.
- The two sides also held a candid exchange of views on people-to-people exchanges, and concurred on continueing to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
- At the courtesy call, Minister Kamikawa presented a Wajima-nuri lacquerware pen to Prime Minister Gunawardena as a token of hope for the recovery of the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.