(Lanka-e-News -04.May.2025, 9.45 PM) Making an official high-level visit aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations and defence collaborations the Japanese Minister of Defence Hon. Nakatani Gen arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday (May 3).
Accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador H. E. Akio Isomata and Vice Minister for International Affairs Hon. Kano Koji, the Japanese Defence Minister visited the SL Defence Ministry at the Defence Headquarters Complex at Sri Jayawardanepura, Kotte this morning (May 4).
He was accorded a formal guard of honour by SL Army at the Ministry of Defence and received by the Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd).
During the ensuing discussions, both sides emphasized the deepening of existing bilateral ties, with special focus on strengthening defence ties and fostering cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka. The importance of collaboration in critical areas such as disaster management, prevention of cross-border human trafficking, and combating illegal operations of non-state actors at sea was highlighted.
Both nations reiterated their shared vision for a secure and stable Indian Ocean region, promoting peace and prosperity through collaborative efforts.
The Deputy Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Jayasekara (Retd), head of the SL delegation expressed gratitude for Japan's longstanding and continued assistance in disaster risk management, coast guard operations, and training initiatives. He also especially appreciated Japan's assistance in upgrading maritime surveillance, meteorology sector and coast guard operations of Sri Lanka.
The Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani, expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka's long standing partnership and emphasized their willingness to collaborate in intelligence sharing, specialized training on hazardous and noxious substance cyber security, maritime law and on search and rescue.
The Japanese delegation also included Special Advisor for the Ministry of Defence Lt. Gen. Bansho Koichiro (Retd), Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Matsunaga Koji and several Directors General and embassy officials including the Defence Attache.
Defence Secretary AVM Thuyacontha (Retd), senior Sri Lanka Defence Ministry officials including the Chief of National Intelligence, Commanders of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and the Director General, East Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism were also present at the occasion.
Subsequently the Japanese Defence Minister together with the delegation visited the Kanatte cemetery in Borella and made floral tributes to commemorate Japanese nationals who died in the island during the Second World War.
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by (2025-05-04 16:26:37)
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