JICA Senior Vice President Hara Visits Sri Lanka

Mr. Shohei Hara, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), visits Sri Lanka from 11 to 14 August 2026 to meet with senior government officials and development partners and to discuss future cooperation in support of Sri Lanka's sustainable development and economic recovery.

On 11 August, Mr. Hara met with Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma together with senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders to exchange views on Sri Lanka’s development priorities and future cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.

During the meetings, Mr. Hara conveyed JICA’s condolences to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and sustainable development. Discussions also covered Sri Lanka’s facilitation of smooth implementation of on-going JICA supported projects, and opportunities and instruments to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Mr. Hara also met with Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Global Compact and exchanged views on sustainable development and partnerships for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the coming days, Mr. Hara will travel to several parts of the country to gain first-hand insights into ongoing Japan-Sri Lanka cooperation. His program includes visits to JICA volunteer activity sites in Kurunegala and Kandy, areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the beneficiaries of the Sejaya Microcredit Company, and other key JICA supported initiatives, including the Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project, the Sigiriya Museum, and the Doppler Weather Radar Project in Puttalam.

Sri Lanka is one of JICA’s most important partner countries and shares a longstanding relationship of friendship and cooperation with Japan. This visit reaffirms the strong partnership between Sri Lanka and Japan and provides an opportunity to exchange views on the country’s development priorities and future cooperation. JICA remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development and to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two countries.