Sri Lanka–Japan Economic Cooperation Agreement Signed

19-Feb-2026

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A new phase in Sri Lanka–Japan economic relations was marked by the “Sri Lanka–Japan Intergovernmental Economic Policy Dialogue,” held on 17 February at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

As a key milestone of the event, a cooperation agreement on the Economic Policy Dialogue was signed and exchanged between the relevant ministries of both countries. The agreement was signed by K.A. Vimalendraraja, 

Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Cooperative Development, and Darshana M. Perera, Acting Additional Secretary (Bilateral Economic Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On behalf of the Japanese Government, Takehiko Matsuo, Vice Minister for International Affairs of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Masakatsu Murotani, Director of the Southwest Asia Division of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the agreement.

The dialogue included extensive discussions on a roadmap to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Sri Lanka’s foreign investment policy and opportunities to attract foreign direct investment were also presented.

A roadmap for establishing an industrial corridor and a study report on Sri Lanka’s export potential were submitted. 

JETRO presented a report on the business environment for Japanese companies in Sri Lanka, while leading Japanese 

firms such as Itochu and Mitsui shared their business experiences.

Representatives of both countries expressed confidence that the MoU and the policy dialogue would usher in a new era of long-standing friendship and economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Japan.