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Colombo, November 30 (Daily Mirror) – Japan will consider new projects in Sri Lanka only after first examining each request from Sri Lankan authorities and its economic status, the Japanese Embassy said yesterday.

The embassy said its priority is to implement 11 projects that resumed after the debt restructuring. The embassy responded to the question of whether Japan had committed to new projects after the new government was formed.

Asked about the status of 11 ongoing projects, the embassy said most of them, including the Bandaranaike International Airport expansion project, are progressing smoothly.

The other Japan-funded projects are: Kalu Ganga Water Supply Expansion Project, Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project, Kalu Ganga Water Supply Expansion Project, Kandy City Wastewater Management Project, Project for Formulation of Solid Waste Management Master Plan in Western Province, Project for capacity development for urban planning, water engineering and utility management Future Leaders Training Program, the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship, Project for Capacity Development on Effective Public Investment Management, Digitalisation of Terrestrial TV Broadcasting Project and a program for development support of fishing and agricultural villages/Dairy Development Project in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Following the completion of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by all members of the Official Creditor Committee on July 22, 2024, Japan officially decided to resume disbursements to 11 loan projects. Japan has paid out 12.5 billion Japanese yen, which is approximately $87 million at the end of September.

Japan played an important role in restructuring Sri Lanka’s bilateral debts and facilitating the restructuring of international government bonds.

Japan took the lead in organizing the Official Creditor Committee for the debt restructuring negotiations.

In response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Japan has provided emergency humanitarian assistance, including food and medicine, worth approximately US$100 million in grants – the largest amount of annual support Japan has ever provided. On the other hand, the past three years have not only been about economic crises and challenges.