News
Japan notes rapid progress in defence cooperation with Sri Lanka
26 Jul, 2019
Japan today noted rapid progress in the defence and economic cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Visiting Japanese State Minister of Defence Kenji Harada emphasized the importance of maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan as oceans are of utmost importance to both countries.
Kenji Harada met?President Maithripala Sirisena?at the President?s Official Residence in Colombo today (July 26).
At the meeting the President said that as both countries are interested in maritime security, Japan and Sri Lanka should further increase cooperation between the two navies to ensure international maritime security as well as safety and security of international waters. He thanked the visiting Japanese Minister for longstanding development assistance provided to Sri Lanka by Japan.
President Sirisena said that the existing close cooperation in the naval sector should also be expanded to the army and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries would be helpful for increasing cooperation.
The MoU on defence cooperation was signed by the visiting State Minister and his counterpart, Ruwan Wijewardane at the Ministry of Defence.
President Sirisena, referring to the tripartite agreement reached between Sri Lanka, Japan and India to develop the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port, said that it was very important step to develop the capacity of the Port of Colombo.
Recommended For You
