Rapid implementation of Comprehensive Partnership:
Japan gives Rs 50b aid
Strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan,
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed Japan’s intention to
provide 38 billion yen (Around Rs 50 billion) as Official Development
Assistance (ODA) loans to Sri Lanka to promote socio- economic
development in Sri Lanka, when he met President Maithripala Sirisena in
Nagoya, Japan following the Outreach Meeting during the G7 Ise-Shima
Summit.
The Japanese Government has promised ODA loans for the construction
of power transmission lines in the North Central and Eastern Provinces
and water supply facilities in the North Central Province.
The transmission lines will permit electricity generated at the power
plants planned in the Eastern Province to the City of Colombo, a media
statement issued after the bilateral meeting between President
Maitripala Sirisena and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, stated.
The Japanese Premier has also expressed his desire to contribute to
national development efforts in Sri Lanka, by positively considering the
provision of Development Policy Loan (DPL), which supports policy and
institutional reform in macro-economic and public financial management,
as well as the promotion of the private sector.
During this discussion, the Japanese Prime Minister also expressed
his willingness to continue cooperation regarding the development of the
Colombo Port and its vicinity under the public and private sector
cooperation agreement.
Prime Minister Abe also expressed his intention to send survey
missions to study the needs and the logistics for hub development of the
North Port of Colombo and its surrounding areas, as well as the
development of the Trincomalee Port.
During the bilateral meeting, the two leaders extensively discussed
ways and means of improving maritime cooperation between the two
countries, while acknowledging the importance of the steady progress of
the Project for Maritime Safety Capability Improvement (worth
approximately 1.8 billion yen), that includes the provision of two
patrol vessels.
The media statement said both leaders shared the view, considering
the fact Sri Lanka is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, that
the development of the country and strengthening regional connectivity
were of critical importance to the prosperity of the entire region.
Both leaders reaffirmed that they would strengthen cooperation for
the implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership between Japan and
Sri Lanka and the Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.
They recognized the importance of Port development in Sri Lanka, as a
key hub nation in the Indian Ocean given the rising demand and rapid
growth of the region. Prime Minister Abe conveyed Japan’s decision to
extend assistance for the development of a master plan of the City of
Kandy, which would enable the urban development needs of the ancient
city with appropriate consideration for the protection of the cultural
heritage. Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to send a study
mission, the statement added.
During this discussion both leaders welcomed Sri Lanka’s decision to
adopt the Japanese system ofDigital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting
(DTTB) and the progress of bilateral work to ensure a smooth transition
to the DTTB Japanese system, including the establishment of a bilateral
Joint Committee to facilitate implementation of the project and holding
the first meeting of the committee in June.
President Sirisena stated that the implementation of Digitalization
of Terrestrial Analogue Television has been assigned to the Ministry of
Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media.
Both leaders welcomed the convening of the first round of the Policy
Dialogue at the Senior Official Level of the two Foreign Ministries and
the inaugural Sri Lanka-Japan Dialogue on Maritime Security, Safety and
Oceanic Issues in January 2016 in Colombo.
Both leaders recognized the importance of the ongoing national
reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, and welcomed the exchange of notes
regarding the Project for the Establishment of Research and Training
Complex at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna (worth
approximately 1.7 billion yen) on 18 May, 2016.
The leaders of two countries also decided to establish a Joint
Committee with a view to ensuring the expeditious implementation of the
Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership(CP) between Japan and Sri
Lanka and to promote concrete cooperation in such areas as economic
development, maritime security, national reconciliation and peace
-building, the media statement added. |