Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, undertook an official visit to Japan from 16 to 19 March 2026.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by a delegation consisting of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and senior officers representing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force.
During the visit, the Deputy Minister held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Defence of Japan, Shinjiro Koizumi. Discussions focused on further strengthening Sri Lanka–Japan defence cooperation in the context of evolving regional and global security dynamics. The Deputy Minister underscored Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, and security in the region, particularly with regard to the safety of Sea Lines of Communication.
Both sides welcomed the steady progress in defence cooperation, including recent engagements such as the port call of the JS Onami of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force at the Port of Colombo and the conduct of goodwill exercises with the Sri Lanka Navy.
The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in several key areas, including strengthening maritime security cooperation through goodwill naval exercises and ship-rider cooperation programmes; expanding capacity-building initiatives, particularly in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), disaster preparedness, and emerging domains; and promoting personnel exchanges and training opportunities, including continued engagement with the National Defense Academy of Japan.
The Deputy Minister also held discussions with State Minister of Defence of Japan, Masahisa Miyazaki and State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ayano Kunimitsu. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and practical cooperation in the defence and security sectors.
The delegation visited key defence and academic institutions, including the National Institute for Defense Studies. The delegation also visited the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Yokosuka Base, where they inspected a Maya-class guided-missile Destroyer and observed advanced maritime capabilities. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on naval operations and maritime security cooperation.
The Government of Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation for Japan’s continued support in strengthening Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities, including through capacity-building initiatives, maritime cooperation, and training opportunities. Sri Lanka also acknowledged Japan’s valuable assistance in humanitarian demining and disaster response efforts, reflecting the close and longstanding partnership between the two countries.
The visit further reinforced the strong and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Japan and underscored the shared commitment to enhancing cooperation for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tokyo
20 March 2026
