Japan has been over the years a steady friend and development partner of SriLanka said Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of public Administrtaion and Home Affairs and Deputy Minister of Finance when he presided at a ceremony held at the Yoshida school In Sapugaskanda.  The ceremony which celebrated fifty years of activity of the school was organized by Ven Banagala Upatissa Thero.

 Speaking further the Minister said that former prime Minister of Japan Yasao Fukuda was in this country a few days ago to open the sigiriya cultural museum.  He had emphasized the good relations that exist between the two nations and pledged to assist Sri Lanka both politically and financially. 

At the last IMF meeting which provided a standby credit facility of US Dollars 2.6 billion,  Japan had resolutely supported Sri Lanka and thereby facilitated its unopposed passage.  A lot of pressure was brought by UK and France but Japan had not given way.  Japan had also donated substantial funds for rehabilitation as they had done during the Tsunami.  At that time Japan was the biggest bilateral donor who helped to restore livelihoods of the Tsunami affected people. 

Dr. Amunugama also referred to Japanese assistance for the Upper Kotmale multi-purpose scheme which is now under construction.  We are also looking to Japan to fund the Moragahakanda scheme which is acquiring even greater relevance today because of its potential impact on the economic development of the Eastern province, he said. 

Japan also has a strong presence in the Asian Development Bank and they have been very supportive of our requests.  Both Japan and ADB have pledged funds to reform our electricity sector but the obstruction of Unions have resulted in the poor consumer being called upon to pay exorbitant rates in addition to jeapordising economic growth of the country.  All development experts have shown that without reforming the power sector our country will never be able to eliminate corruption and achieve double digit growth, which is a characteristic of China and India.  Today both these countries are ruthlessly changing the management and working patterns of the state organizations within the power sector.   They are all entering the age of Nuclear energy when we are still arguing  about unbundling these organizations. 

 The Minister called for a new initiative to open a close and friendly dialogue with Japan.  As Japan comes out of the recession it will regain its preeminent position in the global economy because of the hard work of Japanese people and her solid investment in research and development the Minister said.