Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from January 4 to 6, 2018. This is the first time in 15 years that a Japanese Foreign Minister is visiting Sri Lanka.
This visit is aimed at further consolidating the “Comprehensive Partnership” between Japan and Sri Lanka based on previous visits by Sri Lankan leaders; by the President Maithripala Sirisena in May 2016, and by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in April 2017.
Strengthening cooperation and collaboration with Sri Lanka is important for the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific area based on the rule of law.
During his visit, Kono will pay courtesy calls on the President and the Prime Minister respectively, as well as have a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international matters etc.