Ms. Yukiko Okano, Japan’s Deputy Director General of Media and Diplomatic Affairs has stated while informing the journalists about the discussions between the two countries that it is essential to get a solution to the debt crisis in Sri Lanka before getting new financial facilities. Sri Lanka Latest News
Mrs. Okano has pointed out that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has presented several projects for Japan’s favorable consideration and at this time it is important for Japan to complete the debt restructuring process of Sri Lanka as soon as possible and without any problems.
She stated that as a responsible lender, it is not possible to extend new loans to a debt-ridden country. Mrs. Okiko has said that Japan has been given a guarantee that Sri Lanka will not make any special offer to any of Sri Lanka’s bilateral creditors.
Ms. Okano also pointed out that Japan is paying attention to the large-scale infrastructure projects implemented in Sri Lanka and other countries in the region that are not in line with China and international financial policies.
She has said that Japan did not discuss special projects including the suspended light rail project in Sri Lanka during this discussion and that the Japanese government will discuss it in the future.
Mrs. Okano has indicated that Sri Lanka has proposed to extend the maturity of the bilateral loan given to Sri Lanka up to 15 years subject to a fixed interest rate of 1.5 percent per annum and suspend the payment of interest for nine years.
