Japan holds policy and economic dialogue with Lanka

COLOMBO:Director General for Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Chihiro Atsumi arrived in Sri Lanka on (11) to hold the 4th Japan-Sri Lanka Policy Dialogue, the 1st Japan-Sri Lanka Economic Dialogue and to meet with several high ranking representatives of the Government between 11th and 13th March 2007, the Japanese Embassy said.

During the Policy dialogue Atsumi and T. B. Maduwegedara, Acting Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry exchange views on their respective Government policies, including the peace process as well as several bilateral issues such as economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

The Economic dialogue took place between Atsumi and K. Amunugama, Additional Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry during which economic policies of their respective Governments were discussed including measures to activate bilateral economic relations such as promoting investment, trade as well as the tourism environment in Sri Lanka. The dialogue was held on the basis of the agreement entered into between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in May 2006.

Atsumi also paid courtesy calls on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Hussain Bhaila and Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa and exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.