Lankan Prez to leave for Japan today to attend G7 Summit

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will leave for Japan today to participate in the G7 Summit.

The 42nd G7 Summit will be held on May 26-27, 2016, in Kashiko Island, Shima, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Leaders of Group of Seven member states - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA, and representatives of the European Union will attend the summit.

President Sirisena, the first Sri Lankan leader to attend the summit, was officially invited by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as an Outreach Partner.

This year's summit will be held under the objective to share the key values of democracy, rule of law and human rights by pointing out the best way towards peace and prosperity.

The attention will also be focused on the global economy and trade, foreign policy, climate change and energy, development, quality infrastructure development and health.

President Sirisena will make use of this rare opportunity, which has been given to a leader of a non-member country to participate in the G7 Summit, to promote the country's image and attract economic partnerships and investment from the world.

The Sri Lankan President will get an opportunity to brief fellow leaders about the steps taken, first under the 100-day program and secondly, since the August 17 Parliamentary elections to strengthen democratic institutions, judicial independence, freedom of expression and human rights.

The leaders are scheduled to engage in candid discussions on foreign policy issues, including counter-terrorism and other issues.

President Sirisena is scheduled to hold discussions with five other leaders from Asia on the sideline of the G7 Summit.