Sri Lanka, Japan expand maritime cooperation

Sri Lanka and Japan agreed to work towards expanding maritime cooperation between the two countries, especially with Sri Lanka's potential to become a maritime hub in the region using its unique location on the Indian Ocean sea lanes.

Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hotel Imperial in Tokyo. External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present. Picture by Sudath Silva

This was announced in a joint statement between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe following a summit meeting at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.

President Rajapaksa, at the joint press briefing that followed, said Sri Lanka is determined to strengthen the dialogue with Japan towards "developing a sustainable economic partnership," noting that the relations between the two countries have "grown significantly" during the past 60 years since diplomatic ties were established. Prime Minister Abe also expressed Japan's willingness to develop bilateral relations in the areas of maritime and the economy.

"Sri Lanka is a maritime nation in Asia with which we share democratic values," Abe said.

"I'm extremely pleased to sign the joint statement which identifies the direction of the bilateral corporation, together with the President. It is my sincere wish that the bilateral relationship will further deepen and broaden with the visit by President Rajapaksa, " he said.

The two leaders also agreed to work together in addressing other regional and international social issues. "Our people highly appreciate the generosity and good will extended by Japan to Sri Lanka," President Rajapaksa said.

Other members in the Sri Lankan delegation at the summit included Urban Affairs Senior Minister A H M Fowzie, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Monitoring MP for Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Sri Lanka's ambassador to Japan Admiral (Rtd) Wasantha Karannagoda.