President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihito, described Sri Lanka as a center of gravity of global economic development and JICA would continuously assist development and reforms agenda of Sri Lanka. He said this during a discussion with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo on today (February 14).
The Prime Minister thanked Dr Akihito for the support extended to Sri Lanka for decades since JICA became a member of Sri Lanka Aid Consortium in 1968. He urged JICA to consider new projects for rural development, rural road construction, empowerment of small and medium sector farmers and entrepreneurs.
Dr Akihito said JICA would provide a grant for a new renewable energy programme which will include establishment of solar energy units at hospitals in Sri Lanka. He said that JICA has completed Safe Water Supply Project in Anuradhapura and he would attend its opening ceremony tomorrow (February 15) in the ancient capital. The Prime Minister thanked Japan for the project and said it would be benefit the Anuradhapura, a district affected by kidney disease due to impure water.
JICA President praised the government for quick recovery made after a severe economic crisis and said country is now back on track for rapid growth. “The global growth has shifted to Asia Pacific region and in this Sri Lanka is a center of gravity in world economic growth,” he said and added that JICA would continue to be a partner in this process.
He stress the need for speeding up the Katunayake International Airport expansion project as it would help the country to attract more tourists and also for Sri Lanka to be an important aviation hub.
JICA implements a wide range of projects across the country. They include infrastructure development, expanding social services, developing human resources and rural communities, enhancing small and medium scale enterprises, disaster management and climate change.
JICA President is on a visit to Sri Lanka to ascertain the development requirements to plan future assistance programmes and projects. He added that JICA focuses its assistance on uplifting the agriculture and rural industries, developing rural communities and expanding social services related to education and health and assured continuous project support to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Japan Mizukoshi Hideki, Director General (South Asia), Office of JICA, Ito Teruyuki, Deputy Chief Secretary Takeshita Mastake, Chief Representative JICA Sri Lanka Office, Tetsuya Yamada, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Harsha Wijewardane and Acting Secretary of Ministry of Public Administration Gammanpila took part in the discussion
