Completing IMF-based reforms vital - Japanese Ambassador

COLOMBO (News 1st); Japan's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki notes that completing reforms in line with the IMF program were essential for the future of the Sri Lankan economy.

He added that finalizing debt restructuring negotiations, and achieving economic normalization were also essential for the country's economy.

Ambassador Mizukoshi attended the 44th Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka - Japan Business Council recently, where he made these comments.

Ambassador Mizukoshi also reaffirmed his determination to continue to stand by Sri Lanka as a time-tested partner, supporting Sri Lanka’s recovery and pursuit of prosperity.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will visit Sri Lanka later this week, and will attend a joint media briefing with Sri Lankan Foreing Minister Ali Sabry on Saturday (29).

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi plans to visit six Asian and African countries to strengthen cooperative ties with so-called Global South nations.

Hayashi said the trip will take place from the end of this month into early August and include visits to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia — all of which are deemed to be emerging and developing nations.

In economically unstable Sri Lanka, Hayashi will discuss the country’s debt problems.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi’s visit will be the first ministerial level visit from Japan to Sri Lanka after the cancellation of the USD 1.5 bn Japanese-funded Light Rail Transit Project by the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government in October 2020.