Japan pledges Yen 1.9b aid for Sri Lanka

Dinesh Weerawansa in Japan

Japan pledged economic and financial assistance worth Yen 1,900 million to Sri Lanka as President Mahinda Rajapaksa met top Japanese leaders in Tokyo yesterday.

During discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, Sri Lanka thanked Japan for the assistance extended by the Japanese Government in the past and proposed several projects which needs international financial assistance.

Among the proposed projects were setting up of a National Workers' Hospital (a budget hospital for working class), Moragahakanda project, construction of a modern training school for nurses, a Liquid Nitrogen Gas (LNG) project and Eastern development. Sri Lanka also sought more employment in Japan for its skilled workers and professionals.

The Japanese Government gave a positive response to all these proposals and pledged a total financial assistance package worth Yen 1,900 million.

President Rajapaksa opened the third day of his official visit to Japan with a meeting with Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura at Imperial Hotel in the morning before the historic meeting with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace.

During discussions, President Rajapaksa briefed Prime Minister Fukuda and Foreign Minister Komura on the steps Sri Lanka has taken to find a negotiated settlement to the North-East problem.

He stressed that the Government's battle is only against terrorism and that the Government would continue to press for a peaceful solution acceptable to all communities.

He elaborated on steps taken by the Government to liberate innocent civilians from the clutches of LTTE terrorism and settle them in the Eastern Province.

The President also briefed the Japanese leaders on the steps taken by the Government to find an honourable solution through the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). President Rajapaksa appreciated Japan's commitment in Sri Lanka's peace process as a Co-Chair.

The President thanked the Government and the people of Japan for the support and co-operation extended over the past few decades.

The Japanese leaders appreciated the development potential of Sri Lanka and expressed confidence in the capability of the Sri Lankan Government and people of effectively carrying out the development.

They were of the view that Sri Lanka has quite effectively utilised Japan's assistance for furtherance of development on its own feet in many areas and sectors. Associated with the President at the discussions were Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Additional Secretary to the President Gamini Senerath, Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and Sri Lanka Ambassador in Japan Ranjith Uyangoda. Japan is the single largest donor to Sri Lanka in terms of the total amount of assistance since 1986, and Sri Lanka is one of the largest recipients of per head assistance from Japan in the world.

Japan has been extending financial and technical assistance towards socio-economic development of the island since the 1970's.