First Japanese PM to visit Sri Lanka after 24 years
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who will arrive in Colombo today,
described Sri Lanka as a country with a growing influence in economic
and political domains.
Speaking to reporters before leaving Tokyo yesterday, Abe noted he
was the first Japanese premier to visit Sri Lanka in 24 years. He called
Sri Lanka a country with a growing influence in economic and political
domains”.
Japan’s premier arrived in Dhaka yesterday in the first leg of his
South Asian tour and will fly to Colombo from Dhaka today.
Prime Minister Abe is to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo
today to boost economic and security ties. They also aim to strengthen
maritime territorial cooperation. Reports from Tokyo said Japan is ready
to provide patrol boats to help Sri Lanka bolster its maritime guard.
“I hope to introduce the dynamism of both countries to Japan’s
economy by strengthening relations with them and engaging in top-level
sales activities,” said Abe, who is accompanied by 50 top Japanese
corporate executives. |