In a landmark meeting at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka pledged new cooperation on defense, trade, agriculture and debt restructuring, while exchanging views on North Korea and global security.
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan and Sri Lanka elevated their diplomatic relationship with a high-profile summit between Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The 40-minute meeting included a signing ceremony, a joint press conference and the release of a joint statement, followed by a working lunch to iron out details of new agreements.
Prime Minister Ishiba opened the talks by recalling the historic friendship between the two nations, tracing it back to Sri Lanka’s pivotal role at the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference. Quoting the late President J.R. Jayawardena’s famous words, “Hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love,” Ishiba underlined how such acts laid the foundation for Japan’s prosperity and continue to guide its foreign policy.
The Japanese leader emphasized a shared commitment to democracy, stability and economic cooperation. He announced Japan’s decision to provide unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Sri Lanka under Official Security Assistance for monitoring, surveillance and disaster relief. Ishiba also reaffirmed Tokyo’s full support for the implementation of the International Monetary Fund program and for Sri Lanka’s ongoing debt restructuring efforts.
President Dissanayaka thanked Japan for its consistent assistance and urged stronger Japanese investment in Sri Lanka. He welcomed discussions on Tokyo’s proposed “Export-Oriented Industrial Corridor,” aimed at integrating Sri Lanka into global supply chains. Japan further pledged grant aid to boost dairy sector productivity, especially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, supporting both economic growth and national reconciliation.
Both leaders also turned their attention to regional and international affairs. North Korea was high on the agenda, with Ishiba requesting Sri Lanka’s cooperation on resolving the abduction issue. Dissanayaka expressed understanding, reinforcing Colombo’s role as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific.
The summit signals a new chapter in bilateral relations, combining history with forward-looking initiatives. From advanced technology and agriculture to debt relief and diplomacy, Japan and Sri Lanka are positioning their partnership as a pillar of stability and growth in Asia.
