The Foreign Minister warmly welcomed the new Japanese Ambassador and recalled the long-standing diplomatic relations between Japan and Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Japan has continuously been providing extensive assistance and training opportunities to Sri Lanka in several areas under the Colombo Plan since 1951. Following the historic speech of former President JR Jayewardene, the then Finance Minister of Sri Lanka at the San Francisco Peace Conference, the Government of Japan as well as its people have greatly assisted Sri Lanka as a gesture of solidarity. Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital is one of the significant gifts from Japan to Sri Lanka that shows enduring friendship between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister extended his gratitude for the mega development projects which were implemented in the recent past in Sri Lanka with Japanese funds, such as “the Bandaranaike International Airport Development Project, New Bridge Construction Project over the Kelani River” and “Anuradhapura Water Supply Project”, “Kandy City Wastewater Management Project.” Additionally, the Foreign Minister stated that the Digitalization of Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Project which has been implemented under Japanese assistance will be a great value.
The Government of Japan has always addressed the real needs of the people of Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister recalled that during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, the Japanese Government has donated resources to establish the Institute of Computer Technology for the University of Colombo which gave a valuable opportunity for the young people of Sri Lanka to improve their IT skills. The Japanese language is one of the very popular foreign languages among the younger generation of the country and he appreciated the contribution made by the Japanese Government to improve both IT and Japanese language skills among our youth.
The Minister appreciated the contribution made by Japan’s special peace Envoy to Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi to the peace building process of Sri Lanka.
