LRT Project : Sri Lanka keen but Japan not

6 May 2024 10:17 am - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, May 06 (Daily Mirror)- Uncertainty looms over the relaunch of the Japan -financed light rail project (LRT) even after the country’s debt restructuring process is concluded since Japan has decided not to discuss it , according to an official of the Japanese government.

The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government scrapped the $1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project for Colombo citing the high cost .

The project, meant to ease congestion in the city, was being financed through a $1.4 billion soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA).

However , the government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to resume work on the project and attempted to convince the Japanese government to implement it again .

According to Kaneko Mariko , the deputy press secretary of the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, who met a select group of journalists, the project was cancelled even before Sri Lanka was declared bankrupt . She was accompanying Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa who was in Colombo and held bilateral talks on Saturday.

Ms. Mariko said Sri Lanka sought to resume work but Japan decided not to discuss it at this juncture . She said the Japanese assistance for any such LRT project would depend Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability and the scale of it . Also , she said it should be a fresh project on new terms .

However, she said all the other projects stalled due to the economic crisis would resume upon the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on debt restructuring with the creditor nations . These projects include the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) . Japan chairs the official creditors’ committee on Sri Lanka.

During talks , Japan stressed the need for swift conclusion of the debt restructuring process and the conduct of it in a transparent, comparable manner.

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MirakRajBanda Monday, 06 May 2024 10:26 AM

Bangladesh immensely benifitted by the cheer stupitidy of Gotabya Rajapaksaya and in general Rajapakaya corruption. LRT went to Dhaka.

Hard Truth Monday, 06 May 2024 11:22 AM

Sri Lankans dont desever LRT. Please dont invsest anything here. Most of development are politically motivated here.

L Jaya Monday, 06 May 2024 11:22 AM

These are the areas Gota said " ape thami hodatama kalay". Also I remember a Gota's confidant a PhD bloke was saying this train service cannot transport heavy stuff. This PhD bloke has no clue that the LRT, a light rail service, designed to carry people . Don't know where he completed the doctorate

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 06 May 2024 11:24 AM

Honesty and trust are prestigious to a country and whenever it is maintained, even if the country is poor it will enrich its status in the world. India, Indonesia, Thailand are typical examples of countries that were "low" and today in a high position due to these policies. Sri Lanka was handed over by British rich in success and resplendent, but from day one Sinhalese plundered the nation using every dirty tactic we can find including racism.

Mizaru_Iwazaru_Kikazaru Monday, 06 May 2024 11:39 AM

I lived and worked in Japan for a multination Japanese IT company for 2 1/2 decades and met my former colleagues. They all know of the corruption in Sri Lanka and see Ranil as a crook. This is the ground reality.

Sam the Man Monday, 06 May 2024 11:41 AM

Do you honestly think the Japs would agree when the corrupt Minister who demanded commission from the Japanese company is still in the government without any action being taken.

FairJudge Monday, 06 May 2024 11:47 AM

If I were Japan, I wouldn't even come to this place. Japan was treated very shabbily by SL and no trust can be placed on a country like this. What can you expect from a place where its Cabinet Ministers have court judgements against, MPs convicted of murders, IGP with a court decision given by the highest court of the land. Has this government cared? Japan is too decent even to decide to visit such a place.

Dingiri Plabedda Monday, 06 May 2024 12:10 PM

cannot give any bribes as the main man is the leader!!

joshua Monday, 06 May 2024 12:11 PM

Politicians eat everything up. No future with these rogues around

James Monday, 06 May 2024 12:45 PM

Very good decision by the Japanese GOV. SL GOV should be much more responsible when taking such decision to scrap a productive project. Now it's too late

sam Monday, 06 May 2024 01:12 PM

No kickbacks so no project

Asoka Lelwala Monday, 06 May 2024 01:15 PM

Dr Lalithasiri Gunaruwan has got a PhD in transport Economics but what he doesn't know is Transport Economics.

japanjabara Monday, 06 May 2024 01:51 PM

Japan is too decent. They won't give drugs to drug addicts. Ranil only resuming project to gather some things before elections we are not stupid.

Colombo dweller Monday, 06 May 2024 02:01 PM

The Japanese Govt stance is very logical. This is nothing but another right royal rajapaksha mess up just like the Air Lanka one.

Lived in Japan for ten years Monday, 06 May 2024 02:55 PM

Japan is not a genuine friend of Sri Lanka, they think they are superior to Sri Lankans because of their lighter skin colour. If any help is rendered to Sri Lanka then it is to counter China offering similar help.

Lived in Japan for ten years Monday, 06 May 2024 02:55 PM

Japan is not a genuine friend of Sri Lanka, they think they are superior to Sri Lankans because of their lighter skin colour. If any help is rendered to Sri Lanka then it is to counter China offering similar help.

Sri Lankan in Japan Tuesday, 07 May 2024 05:02 AM

This is the most ludicrous statement ever! Yes, there is racial discrimination in Japan just like in any other country. That is for all foreigners not only for Sri Lankans. Japan has been helping Sri Lanka for years before we had anything to do with China. Japan like most developed countries doesn't tolerate corruption and that is why they don't want to help this Govt any more. You may have lived in Japan in the past but we live Japan since 1993. So, don't mix your bitter personal experience to the facts and tarnish the name of a friendly country.

Gabriella Monday, 06 May 2024 02:57 PM

This is what happens when gutter crawlers ( SRI LANKA GOVT) offend honourable people ( Japanese). We trust, the Japanese people will be able to differentiate between the people of Sri Lanka and the scum in government. And recognise the high regard with which the Japanese people are held by ordinary Sri Lankan’s.

Tissa Fernando Monday, 06 May 2024 03:06 PM

I think that this project will be ultimately handed over to India who is planning meticulously to grab it.

Ram Monday, 06 May 2024 03:37 PM

As long as bribe seeking Minister is there Japan will never agree to help with the LRT

Buddhist Monday, 06 May 2024 03:47 PM

All Japanese-funded projects stalled after Nimal Siripala asked for bribes.

Wiraj Monday, 06 May 2024 04:12 PM

When the stupid 6.9 million voters elect a Corrupt and incompetent president based on blind racist propaganda, be ready to accept the repercussions such as bankruptcy, shortage of essentials and isolation in international arena.

Nakande Sumathipala Monday, 06 May 2024 05:14 PM

Oh my God! Pagapala is in distress!!

gamini Monday, 06 May 2024 05:19 PM

where are the 6.9M who said GR will manage the country using professionals and make it like Singapore

Sunil Monday, 06 May 2024 05:22 PM

Under brand new govt things will happen. Not this time.

Nihal S Monday, 06 May 2024 05:27 PM

Thanks Gota. After all these destructions to the country, you are enjoying a luxury life paid by the tax payers and public. Where is the justice?

Ram Tuesday, 07 May 2024 10:58 AM

Goya is fully occupied in releasing another book “called ‘Economy recovery in Sri Lanka by 2030’

Mahila Monday, 06 May 2024 05:52 PM

When will the 'UPSTART' NINCOMPOPOPS, elected by Sri Lanka understand the complexities of Diplomacy, especially, with Nations such as Japan!? There Low IQ and cunningness, which is mistaken for "HIGH INTELLIGENCE" AND HABIT OF "Thumbing the Nose" exist, will REMAIN BACKWARD STATE!!??

Berard Jayatilake Monday, 06 May 2024 06:04 PM

This one in a lifetime project of great beneficial to the country, was rejected by the ex-ruler who followed foolhardy policies eventually rendering the country to bankruptcy.

Mahila Monday, 06 May 2024 06:06 PM

LRT Colombo was decided Long ago 4 Years, to be LRT Dacca, Bangladesh!!!??? When SL government and EP dumped it, like a "LUMP of SHIT", it was gladly accepted as WELCOME PROJECT by Bengalese!! Sad, but glaring Truth!!?? Now, “Bite your lips”, and patiently await your turn!!!??? Underlying story, when it suits you, may not suit the DONOR agenda!!?? Everyone have their ”PECKING ORDER”!!??

VJ Monday, 06 May 2024 07:17 PM

An opportunity missed, probably cancelled due to non availability of a commission.

Economist abroad Monday, 06 May 2024 07:38 PM

The amount of damage Rajapakses have done to our nation is beyond belief. Pakses could have easily settled the ethnic problem with the majority they had. Behaved like morons and ruined this country. It will take a few generation to just rectify the situation.

Gonston Fernando Monday, 06 May 2024 07:52 PM

We will manage our traffic. We can't be beggars and pay debts further to have this facilty to go fast. Will leave home a bit early. Thank you Japan. And Pohottuwaas ruined it anyway.

Zak Tuesday, 07 May 2024 02:51 AM

Thank you 69million and Gota for keeping Sri Lanka undeveloped for ever ! Miracle of Asia

Ylg Tuesday, 07 May 2024 03:43 AM

Japan is a very good friend of SriLanka. They feel they owe us after JR. We should know how to use them to our benefit. If we are corrupted and not transparent then Japan won't deal with us. AND that is the real problem.

Roger Halliday Tuesday, 07 May 2024 05:46 AM

Yes it's that fake PhD bugger from the railways. Who was concerned more about cargo than passangers

Sambo Tuesday, 07 May 2024 08:16 AM

How can Japan be interested before any thing when our politicians request for commissions.

Mahesh Tuesday, 07 May 2024 10:54 AM

The country has chosen the wrong political leaders since independence and this is the consequence. What have we accomplished? We destroyed everything

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LRT Project : Sri Lanka keen but Japan not

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