Japan PM to undertake two-day official visit of Sri Lanka next week

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka on September 7 and 8, at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday that Prime Minister Abe will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including business leaders from several Japanese companies, notably small and medium sized enterprises, ranging from infrastructure to food industries.

According to a report filed by the LankaPage web site, Japan has been a key partner in Sri Lanka's socio-economic development and the forthcoming official visit of Prime Minister Abe will be an important milestone in further enhancing bilateral relations, the Ministry said.

The Ministry recalled that President Rajapaksa paid an official visit to Japan in March 2013 to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.

The Ministry noted that it is 24 years since the last visit of a Japanese Prime Minister to Sri Lanka.

"The Government of Sri Lanka is confident that this visit will enable both countries to further consolidate and expand the existing robust relations, particularly in trade and economic cooperation," the statement issued by the foreign ministry said.