Namal calls for stronger bilateral ties with Japan
Namal Rajapaksa, MP and Special Envoy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa
is now in Tokyo to attend the Annual Sri Lanka Tea and Trade Promotion
seminar and also hold bilateral discussions with key Japanese
dignitaries including the Special Representative of the Government of
Japan for Sri Lanka Yasushi Akashi. MP Rajapaksa during discussions on
Thursday, March 8 informed Akashi of the ongoing progress in the country
and the rapid development in the North and the East.
Rajapaksa emphasised the important role played by the Government in
resettling people back in their villages in the North and the East and
the reconstruction of their homes, which is a key priority of the
Government.
He said that the reconciliation program for rehabilitated cadres is
also progressing successfully and a large number of rehabilitated cadres
has been sent back to their villages with special financial assistance
given by the Government for them to launch their own self-employment
projects.
Parliamentarian Rajapaksa while stressing the rapid development
taking place in the North and the East expressed the Government’s strong
commitment to the people of this region with 70 percent of foreign
grants and loans already being extended by the Government to the
development of this region.
Akashi while congratulating the Government of Sri Lanka for the great
progress being made in Sri Lanka expressed his views on the current
status of the LLRC Report and the need for Sri Lanka’s commitment to the
full implementation of the LLRC Report. Akashi also stressed the
importance of the strong bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka
and added that Japan will always support and stand by Sri Lanka whenever
assistance is needed.
Namal Rajapaksa acknowledged the continuous assistance and support
extended to Sri Lanka by the Government of Japan over the years and
expressed the need for stronger bilateral relations highlighting the 60
years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan being
commemorated in both countries this year.
- Asian Tribune
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