Senior officials from Japan's International Cooperation Agency met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to discuss ongoing support for Sri Lanka's economic recovery and infrastructure development following recent natural disasters.
Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Shohei Hara led a delegation in discussions with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Jayasinghe Amarasuriya at Temple Trees, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple development sectors. The Prime Minister acknowledged Japan's consistent support for Sri Lanka's progress, particularly highlighting Japanese assistance provided during recovery operations following Cyclone Ditwah.
The dialogue centered on several reconstruction priorities identified by the government, including rehabilitation of transport infrastructure such as roads and railways. Both parties stressed the importance of building disaster preparedness capacity and implementing risk-reduction measures to enhance the country's resilience against future natural disasters. The JICA delegation reaffirmed Japan's commitment to providing lending assistance while underscoring the necessity for tangible, measurable outcomes from funded projects.
Economic recovery formed another central theme, with discussions addressing Sri Lanka's ongoing debt restructuring process. Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasized the government's dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Additionally, both sides identified several collaborative initiatives, including airport development at Bandaranaike International Airport, installation of a Doppler weather monitoring system, and implementation of a Digital Terrestrial Television Network. Waste management and renewable energy emerged as priority areas for expanded partnership, reflecting shared commitment to environmental sustainability and long-term development objectives.
The JICA delegation also expressed support for inclusive education programmes as part of broader development goals. The meeting included participation from officials representing both nations' government and external resources departments.
