President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held discussions with Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation of Japan, at the Presidential Secretariat, where Japan pledged significant support for Sri Lanka’s rural development, education, and healthcare sectors.
During the meeting, President Dissanayake emphasized that eradicating rural poverty remains the top priority of his administration and expressed his commitment to enhancing education as a key part of this effort.
In response, Yohei Sasakawa assured Japan’s intervention to support healthcare, education, and welfare programs, particularly for the disabled community. He further announced plans to support educational development in Jaffna, as well as initiate special projects aligned with the new government’s poverty alleviation efforts.
The discussion also focused on strengthening diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Japan, with both parties highlighting their commitment to expanding collaboration on social and economic initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary Roshan Gamage, Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata, Chairman of the Sasakawa Health Foundation Dr. Takahiro Nanri, and Nippon Foundation Executive Director Ichiro Kabasawa, along with other representatives.
