Excerpts from a Press Statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation
“Japan has always assisted in the development of Sri Lanka for the closer political and socio-economic ties between the two countries that we are grateful to the people of Japan who always came forward to help Sri Lankans in their hour of need,” says Hon. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Sripala de Silva. The Minister expressed these views when His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka MIZUKOSHI Hideaki met him at office in Colombo, today.
Recalling the immense assistance extended by the Japanese Government for the Peradeniya Children’s Hospital, Polonnaruwa General Hospital and many other health sector development projects during his tenure as the Minister of Health, the Minister also regretted the cancellation of important development projects signed between Japan and Sri Lanka due to several political decisions taken in the past. He said that on the invitation of the World Health Organization (WHO) he also served as a Consultant to the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe also known as the WHO Kobe Centre.
During the discussion, the Minister requested a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), Hazama Ando Corporation Japan that has undertaken the construction of the project and the Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited with the presence of Japanese Ambassador, the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation and staffs to discuss the issues on the Phase II constructions of the Bandaranaike International Airport. He also requested the Ambassador to encourage Japanese investors for the proposed new industrial Zone related to the Port of Trincomalee.
First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy – Ms. Chiharu HOSHIAI , Japan Deputy Head of Mission – Mr. KATSUKI Kotaro, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary Mr.K.D.S.Ruwanchandra and Additional Secretary Mr.Sunil Gunarathna also attended the meeting.
