Sri Lanka Japan Discuss Regional Security Cooperation

COLOMBO(News 1st); Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, undertook an official visit to Japan from 16 to 19 March 2026.

During the visit, the Deputy Minister held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Defence of Japan, Shinjiro Koizumi. Discussions focused on further strengthening Sri Lanka–Japan defence cooperation in the context of evolving regional and global security dynamics. 

The Deputy Minister underscored Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and security in the region, particularly with regard to the safety of Sea Lines of Communication.

The Japanese Defence Minister stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka to maintain stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, especially under the vision of a "free and open Indo-Pacific".

In response, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara pointed out Sri Lanka’s strategic geographical location in the Indian Ocean and its key role in protecting regional maritime security.

He highlighted Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to further strengthening security ties with Japan in ways that support regional peace and stability, in line with international law, conventions, and diplomacy.

Both sides also exchanged views on important regional and global developments, including the situation in the Middle East.

The Deputy Minister of Defence also explained Sri Lanka’s firm neutral and non-aligned foreign policy, along with its commitment to international standards and legal conventions.