Japanese ambassador calls on PM:

Rapid changes in Lanka - envoy

Sri Lanka has changed rapidly within a short period. The main reason for this rapid change is the peaceful environment in the country, Japanese ambassador Nobuhito Hobo said.

Japanese ambassador Nobuhito Hobo called on Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

The ambassador said so when he met Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at Visumpaya last evening.

He said that he had visited Sri Lanka several times, but a change he never saw, prevails in the country today.

Hobo said that Japan is ready to support Sri Lanka's development.

"Japan has specially decided to support researchers in science and technology fields. Japan has planned to broaden the foreign investment process after the tsunami disaster and accordingly, it expects to broaden investment in Sri Lanka," the ambassador said. Prime Minister Jayaratne said that the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka continues to grow daily.

"Our aim is to continue the friendship between the two countries. The support given by Japan for Sri Lanka's economic and social development can never be forgotten. International support for Sri Lanka has increased due to the foreign policy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is a leader who treats all communities and religions equally," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said that he expects Japan's support for Lanka, which has begun its development journey.