Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > March 2018 > Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting and Other Events
The Prime Minister in Action
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting and Other Events
March 14, 2018
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands
Photograph of Prime Minister Abe welcoming the President of Sri Lanka
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (1)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (2)
Photograph of the Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
Photograph of the leaders heading to the signing ceremony and joint press announcement
Photograph of the leaders attending the signing ceremony
Photograph of the joint press announcement (1)
Photograph of the joint press announcement (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the dinner banquet (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the dinner banquet (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the dinner banquet (3)
On March 14, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, followed by a summit meeting. Thereafter, the leaders held a joint press announcement.
Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and said in his address,
“I welcome you all today. I am truly delighted to have President Sirisena and his wife, who are important friends of Japan, here in this country, during this auspicious year of the Seventieth Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence.
At the summit meeting held just now, President Sirisena and I held a very extensive exchange of views on various issues including our cooperation toward a free and open Indo-Pacific. From now on, I would like you to relax and enjoy Japanese cuisine.
The People of Japan and Sri Lanka have gotten familiarized with the respective cultures of one another. Among Japanese households, undoubtedly Ceylon tea is famous. Many Japanese enjoy drinking delicious black tea from Sri Lanka. I have also heard that the Japanese TV drama Oshin is very popular among TV viewers in Sri Lanka. Today, we are also joined by Ms. Ayako Kobayashi, who played the role of young Oshin. She has, of course, grown considerably since then.
In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami that struck in 2004, Japan provided emergency recovery support, including dispatching medical teams. And following the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck in 2011, which marks its seventh anniversary this month, Sri Lanka provided much material and financial assistance, including dispatching support teams to Ishinomaki City. In this way, the cordial relations between our two countries have been nurtured through the dedicated contributions of many people.
We have invited to tonight’s banquet many leaders, who have supported our wonderful friendship in various fields, including politics, the economy, academia, and culture. It is thanks to all of your efforts that Japan and Sri Lanka share such an extremely amicable relationship today. I would like to cordially thank everyone once again, and request your continued cooperation for further developing Japan-Sri Lanka relations.
I would now like to offer a toast to the good health of President Sirisena, his wife, and everyone here today, and to the further development of the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka. Cheers!”
