Deputy Minister of Defence appreciates Japan’s continued assistance to SL
Posted on April 3rd, 2025
MOD Media Centre
‘Sri Lanka, due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, plays a critical role in regional maritime security. The maritime security strategy is considered the most important aspect in the National Security and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is given the highest priority’.
Highlighting this crucial aspect, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to maritime security during his visit to the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Mine Sweeper Tender JS Bungo at the Port of Colombo on Wednesday (Apr 2).
The visit coincided with the arrival of two JMSDF vessels, JS Bungo and JS Etajima, as part of the Indo-Pacific and Middle East Deployment 2025.
In his speech, Deputy Minister emphasized Japan’s role as a longstanding and steadfast partner to Sri Lanka across a multitude of sectors. This partnership has manifested in significant support through financial assistance, technological collaboration, development project implementation, humanitarian aid provision, capacity building initiatives, peacekeeping contributions, defence cooperation, maritime security enhancements and knowledge sharing.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka His Excellency Akio Isomata highlighted the deep-rooted bilateral relations between two countries and he emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to the regional stability as a cornerstone in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
The event featured the traditional ‘Kagami Biraki’ ceremony, involving the breaking of sake barrels and a demonstration of ‘Kendo,’ a modern Japanese martial art derived from the classical swordsmanship of the samurai.
The event was attended by numerous high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including the Commanders of Sri Lanka Army and Navy, Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence, members of the diplomatic corps and senior JMSDF officers. Notably present were Captain Amano Shinsuke, Commander of the 3rd Minesweeper Division, as well as the respective Commanding Officers of the ships, Commander Tanaka Koji and Commander Oda Takayuki.
Further, this visit and interactions underscored the strong defence and maritime cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional security and stability.