A special policy-level discussion was held yesterday (02) at the Japan Fisheries Agency in Tokyo between the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, who is currently on an official visit to Japan, and Japan’s State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon. NEMOTO Yukinori.
The primary objective of the meeting was to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan in the areas of fisheries, aquaculture, and marine resource management. During the discussions, extensive attention was given to enhancing Sri Lanka’s seafood value chain and securing the necessary technical assistance from Japan to support the sector’s development. The two sides also explored measures to further expand the demand for Sri Lankan seafood products in the Japanese market.
A key outcome of the discussions was the agreement reached by the Japanese government to provide employment opportunities in Japan’s fisheries technology sector for young graduates from the Fisheries and Technical Faculties of Sri Lankan universities. Both parties decided to coordinate and implement this program expeditiously through the relevant sectors of the foreign employment sector and the embassy in the future.
The Minister emphasized that the support extended by the Japanese government to modernize Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector through advanced technology and international best practices would make a significant contribution to strengthening the national economy.
Also present at the meeting were the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan, Professor Pivithuru Janaka Kumarasinghe, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa.
