Sri Lanka will achieve its economic development goals especially after the conclusion of 30 year conflict, under the present Government, Shuji Ikeguchi, Senior Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan stated.

He made this statement during a meeting with Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Jagath Pushpakumara in Tokyo, Japan on 13 Oct.

Vice Minister Ikeguchi extended best wishes for recent election victories and current political stability in Sri Lanka.

Deputy Miniser Abeywardene recapped the long standing cordial relations between two countries and extended the gratitude for the continuous Japanese assistance to Sri Lanka especially both in good and difficult periods. He also stated that Sri Lanka would like to learn and follow Japanese economic development strategies, recalling the courageous Japanese nationals who had built pillars of the Japanese economy in its’ difficult periods.

After 30 years of conflict in Sri Lanka , the present Government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now expediting all economic activities in Sri Lanka to achieve economic development goals of the country, he added explaining that the Economic Development Ministry was newly formed under Minister Basil Rajapaksa, with a view to expedite economic development. Therefore, there are many economic development activities carried out including in the North and East of Sri Lanka, where there was no access for the last 30 years.

Deputy Minister emphasized his positive hopes on Japanese economic cooperation which will continue for many more decades in the future as it had done in the past. He especially requested the Senior Vice Minister of Japan to take action to relax the Japanese Travel Advisory on Sri Lanka to encourage more Japanese tourists to Sri Lanka . Since tourism is one of the main foreign exchange industries in Sri Lanka, the relaxation of Japanese travel advisory based on the peaceful atmosphere in Sri Lanka would have many economic rewards to the country.

Ikeguchi said that he would explore the possibilities on the request of Deputy Minister Abeywardene and take appropriate actions. He also stated that he witnessed Sri Lanka is a wonderful country having many attractive places; however, some infrastructure developments should be done to attract more foreign nationals.

Mr. Sumith Wijesinghe, Secretary to the Leader of the House of Parliament; Mr. Thilak Devagiribandara, Secretary to the Chief Government Whip of Parliament; Mr. Chandana Weerasena, First Secretary of the Sri Lanka Embassy and Mr. Sunil Gamage, Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in Ibaraki was also present at the meeting.