Japanese Defense Minister commends recent progress of Colombo Port

Aug 27, 2018 (LBO) – Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has commended the progress acquired by the Port of Colombo during the recent past, Sri Lanka Ports Authority said.





Defense Minister Onodera recently paid a historic visit to the Port of Colombo marking a landmark in the maritime history of Sri Lanka. During the visit, the Defense Minister observed several key facilities in the port, including the Port of Colombo Control Tower from where all marine operations are coordinated. Currently, the focus has been made to improve and develop maritime collaboration between the two friendly nations in order to strengthen wider bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Japan. Port of Colombo has achieved the highest ever global growth rate during the first quarter of this year.





The Japanese government on numerous occasions has involved in building port facilities in the Port of Colombo. Japan’s immense contribution is always commendable in the construction of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) that offers an 80 percent income generation in the state-run port sector. The construction of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and the establishment of its operational superstructure dating back to 1980s, enabled to enhance the identity of the port during the past decades as an efficient maritime center in the region.



The high profile Japanese delegation also included Ambassador of Japan, Kenichi Suganuma, the Executive Director of SLPA, Nilan Wickramasinghe and Habour Master, Capt. Athula Hewawitharana. The Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr.Parakrama Dissanayake made a presentation of a special memento to the Japanese Minister of Defense resembling the historic visit of the Japanese Defense Minister at the Port of Colombo.





Onodera who was on a two-day official visit, toured in the Trincomalee harbour as well as in the Trincomalee harbour earlier last week. Analysts say Sri Lanka should rethink its foreign policy in a very strategic manner; else the country will eventually become collateral damage in a geopolitical power struggle.

Opposition politicians state that according to information they received, an agreement has already been signed with the United States to use Trincomalee as a military base.





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