(UTV|COLOMBO) – Japan’s Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera arrived in Sri Lanka Monday night (20) for an official visit, the Department of Government Information said.
Onodera was welcomed by the Chief of Defence Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.
Japanese Defence Minister is on a five-day official visit to India and Sri Lanka. He arrived in Sri Lanka after completing his two day-tour in India. His visit to Sri Lanka aims to enhance the defence cooperation between the two countries amid the growing assertiveness of China in the Indian Ocean.
In Sri Lanka, Onodera is expected to meet President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the Defence Minister, to discuss further Japan assistance to Sri Lanka’s Navy. He will also visit the strategically located Hambantota Port, operated by a Chinese firm.
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