Japan wants H’tota to be free of military activities

22 August 2018 02:18 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Japan wants Hambantota port to be "free of military activities", the visiting Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onedera has said amid concerns in the region over the leasing of the facility to China, the PTI reported on Wednesday.

Onedera, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, is the first Japanese defence minister ever to visit Sri Lanka.

His visit comes amid the regional concerns over growing Chinese influence in Sri Lanka, the PTI said.

Speaking to the Japanese NHK television after his meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Onedera said he had raised the Chinese issue with Sri Lanka.

"Despite the lease, there was an agreement that port remains free of military activities," Onedera was quoted as saying by NHK. He is also scheduled to visit Hambantota.

Sri Lanka and China entered into a 99-year lease of the Hambantota port which will enable the Chinese to set up an industrial park around the seaport.

Minister Onedera will also visit Trincomalee Port. Coinciding with his visit is the arrival of the Japanese Naval ship "Ikazuchi" in Trincomalee.

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Comments - 9

Ranjan Wednesday, 22 August 2018 02:41 PM

So the Chinese in Hambantota is the true reason why he is visiting Sri Lanka and not to strengthen the bilateral relationship as it was first reported. Most likely the Indians having failed in their many attempts to stop the Chinese involvement in Sri Lanka are now using anti-Chinese countries like Japan to put pressure on Sri Lanka.

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 22 August 2018 04:13 PM

Japan has a bigger threat of China than India has. In fact, all countries close to China i.e. Phillipines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Indonesia all have been abused militarily over territorial issues by China at one time or another. Just be lucky Sri Lanka is not a country close to China.

Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 23 August 2018 10:41 AM

The Chinese are now the bloodsuckers in the fur of many developing countries in Asia and Africa.

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 22 August 2018 02:53 PM

Sri Lanka does not have any power whatsoever over this port for 99 years, as China has 87% sovereignty

Modaya Wednesday, 22 August 2018 03:25 PM

Is this fellow is the Prime minister of Sri Lanka?

Confused Wednesday, 22 August 2018 04:04 PM

A little bit confused.. what right do these visitors to the country have, to dictate terms to us? Does the neighbour come to your house and tell you what to do in your kitchen? Excuse me?

Ahmed Wednesday, 22 August 2018 04:42 PM

everyone is telling us what to do these days

Waco Thursday, 23 August 2018 11:25 AM

Why is he visiting Hambantota?Is he not forcing China to bring couple of their Neval Ships to Hambantota .

Sameen Jan Thursday, 23 August 2018 10:03 PM

Has this Jap fellow forgotten how the Japs bombed SL during WW2Should be reminded of the rape of Nanking in WW2.100,000 civilians killed in a week

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Japan wants H’tota to be free of military activities

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