Nimal Siripala apologizes to Japan for Gotabhaya's decision to halt Japanese projects

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Misukoshi Hideki that he regretted the political decisions taken to halt some of the development projects planned to be launched by Japan.

The Minister handed over a special report to the Ambassador on the delay in the construction of the second phase of the Katunayake Airport, which commenced construction with the assistance of a loan from the Government of Japan.

Mr. Nimal Siripala Silva said that it was with great respect that he reminded the Japanese people of their support whenever Sri Lanka was in trouble.

The Minister also requested the Japanese Ambassador to encourage Japanese investors to set aside land for a new industrial park near the Trincomalee Port.

After Gotabhaya Rajapaksa became President, the Colombo-based light rail project, which was planned to be built with Japanese aid, was also halted.