This Dialogue is a result of the very successful visit of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Japan last year and an outcome of the Joint Declaration on a Comprehensive Partnership between Sri Lanka and Japan concluded during that visit.
The two sides had a frank exchange of views on a range of subjects including the situation in the Indo Pacific Ocean Region; cooperation in the areas of Maritime Security and Safety; regional multilateral initiatives including activities within the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), and partnership between the two countries as maritime nations.
In his opening remarks at the meeting Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi referred to the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and the assistance extended by Japan for the development of Sri Lanka and stated that the relationship was one that was characterized by "genuine affection". He also expressed appreciation for the commitments made to extend cooperation and contribute to the capacity building on maritime safety in fields such as maritime law enforcement, Search and Rescue (SAR), mitigation of disaster risks and environment protection, including the survey conducted with a view to providing patrol vessels. Both sides agreed that intensifying exchanges will pave the way for strengthening of cooperation between the two countries on maritime security and also enable the understanding of each other's concerns.
H. E Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan said that under the tenure of President Maithirpala Sirisena, Japan- Sri Lanka relations has been ushered into a new era and this has been further consolidated by the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The Ambassador referred to the strategically important geopolitical location of Sri Lanka overlooking the main Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) in the Indian Ocean. He said that securing the freedom of navigation and safety of sea routes is a major concern for Japan and added that they wish to see the establishment of an open, stable ocean where rule of law dominates. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries based on "shared values".
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Takashi Ariyoshi, Director/Southwest Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Mr. S Hettiarachchi, Additional Secretary (Defence) from the MoD of Sri Lanka. Representatives from the Japanese side included officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Coast Guard and the Embassy in Colombo. The representatives from the Sri Lanka side included Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard Department, Marine Environment Protection Authority, and the Director General/ Merchant Shipping.
