Message from the Chief Representative

While having been exporting high-quality products such as garments, tea, and rubber goods, Sri Lanka enjoys proximity to major South Asian markets such as India and Bangladesh, as well as relatively short distances to ASEAN countries, the Middle East and Africa. It also possesses deep-water, large-scale ports—an important strategic advantage. Above all, Sri Lanka’s greatest asset lies in its people: highly educated, exceptionally skilled, diligent, and motivated. What I feel every day in this country is the generosity and warmth of its people, as well as the safety and security of daily life.

Japan and Sri Lanka have a long-standing relationship built upon deep historical ties. It is well known that at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951, the late President J.R. Jayewardene, then Minister of Finance, quoted the words of the Buddha—“Hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love”—in his speech advocating for Japan’s reintegration into the international community after World War II. It is also remembered that Japan provided emergency assistance and swift reconstruction support following the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, and conversely, Sri Lanka extended substantial support to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. These episodes demonstrate that our two nations are trusted friends at both the national and personal levels.

For more than half a century, JICA has been a leading partner in development cooperation with Sri Lanka. Our support has ranged widely—from major infrastructure such as ports, roads, bridges, and hydropower plants, to agricultural development, enhancement of hospitals and educational institutions, poverty reduction in rural areas, and strengthening disaster management systems. The dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), which began over 40 years ago, has also served as a foundation of mutual trust, fostering people-to-people ties and heartfelt cooperation.

In recent years, Sri Lanka has faced significant challenges, including the COVID‑19 pandemic and an unprecedented economic crisis. Even during these emergencies, JICA has remained close to the people of Sri Lanka, responding to their needs and providing timely support. After falling into economic crisis in 2022, Sri Lanka—supported in part by Japan’s leading role—moved swiftly toward debt restructuring, and the country is now rapidly emerging from that critical situation, steadily progressing toward economic recovery. Tourist arrivals have returned to or even exceeded pre-crisis levels, and both exports and investment have shown strong growth, providing clear signs of recovery.

In light of these developments, JICA will continue supporting Sri Lanka’s current recovery trajectory while promoting further growth and strengthening the resilience of its economy and society. We will focus on the following priority areas:

1. (1) Strengthening fiscal and structural reforms, and reinforcing economic foundations:
   Supporting enhanced industrial competitiveness—including investment promotion and export development—as well as the development of power and transport infrastructure and improved governance through capacity building in public administration.

2. (2) Enhancing social resilience:
   Improving social services for vulnerable groups, including women and children; reducing poverty in underdeveloped regions; strengthening disaster risk management and climate change measures for heavy rainfall, floods, and other hazards; and improving the environment through better water, sanitation, and waste management.

3. (3) Ensuring peace and stability:
   Continuing support for balanced socio-economic development across regions and enhancing capabilities in maritime safety and related fields.

Guided by our vision of “Leading the world with trust,” JICA will continue walking alongside the people of Sri Lanka as the country overcomes various challenges and builds a future of further development and lasting prosperity.