The Ministry’s attention has been drawn to certain media reports in the Japanese print and electronic media during Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s visit to Japan (17-20 June 2015) pertaining to Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.
These media reports have since been carried in local and other foreign media as well.
The Ministry wishes to clarify that the Minister did not, at any point, refer to a review of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy pertaining to any country during his interactions with the media, during the visit. In response to questions raised during the series of media interactions that he had – Press Conference at the Japan National Press Club, interviews with the Yomiuri, Nikkei and Asahi Shimbum newspapers and NHK Television – the Minister clarified that Sri Lanka strives to win back friends who have been traditionally very close to Sri Lanka since Independence.
With regard to investment projects, the Minister clarified that all investment projects undertaken before 8 January are being reviewed on account of allegations that due procedures had not been followed in the process of awarding contracts for such projects.
Colombo, 20 June 2015
