PM briefs Parliament on his official visit to Japan

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PM briefs Parliament on his official visit to Japan ^Featured

October 21, 2015

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe making a statement on his official visit to Japan in Parliament on Tuesday (20) said Japanese Prime Minister Abe appreciated the new government for maintaining a balance foreign policy with leading states in Asia such as India, China and Japan. He said the previous government failed to maintain a balance foreign policy. Therefore, relationships with traditionally friendly countries had been affected. He said it was a success of this government to be able to maintain a balance policy.

He said Japanese Prime Minister while commending the Sri Lanka's position to co-sponsor the UN resolution, promised their fullest co-operation to a mechanism seeking truth.

Wickremesinghe said that the Japanese Prime Minister recalled that a crucial stage of Japan was the speech delivered by Late Finance Minister J. R. Jayawardena (Late President) at the San Francisco Summit in 1952 following World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister appreciated the stance of the Sri Lanka government led by then Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake that Japan should be allowed to stand as an independent nation when other nations wanted to penalize them, he said.

The Japanese Prime Minister said due to this relationship, Japan is bound to protect the Indian ocean region.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the discussions were focused on three main areas: Investment and Trade Promotion, National Development and Peace and National Reconciliation.

Especially, it was agreed to share technological know how of Japan with Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries. Japan also agreed to participate at the International Science and Technology Summit to be held at Peradeniya next year, the Prime Minister further said.

He said a foundation was laid during these discussions to create employment opportunities and business opportunities for Sri Lankans.

We were also able to draw Japan's attention to airport development, Colombo port development, Kandy city development and energy generation.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka promised Japan to extend the fullest cooperation to obtain a permanent seat for Japan at the United Nations Security Council as the Asian representation is not adequate in the council.

Wickremesinghe said an agreement was signed between the two countries to grant an aid of 45 billion yen to develop the Katunayake Airport as a regional aviation centre.

The Prime Minister said his delegation was exemplary as it consisted of himself, Minister Susil Premajayantha, Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Minister Ravi Karunanayake and several officials and the visit was very fruitful.