Japan’s Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera arrived in Sri Lanka Monday night for an official visit. He was welcomed by the Chief of Defense Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
Japanese Defense Minister Onodera 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.The Japanese Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka aims to enhance the defense cooperation between the two countries amid the growing assertiveness of China in the Indian Ocean.
In Sri Lanka, Defense Minister Onodera is expected to meet President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the defense minister, to discuss further Japan assistance to Sri Lanka’s navy.Minister Onodera will also visit the strategically located Hambantota port, operated by a Chinese firm.
