Focus on debt restructuring, bilateral ties SL to witness high-profile visits from France and Japan 

• This is the highest level visit from Japan after soured bilateral  relations following the Light Rail Transit Project issue

By Kelum Bandara  

Sri Lanka will witness two high profile visits during the week end from France and Japan - two countries which, along with India, have formed the common platform for talks among creditors to carry out debt restructuring.French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka tonight en route to his country from Papua New Guinea. 

This is the first such visit by a French leader. A top source from the government told Daily Mirror that key matters related to debt restructuring will be discussed during the short visit between the French President and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.   

 “In addition, whole areas of bilateral ties will be discussed,” the source said.   

Besides, Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will also arrive in the country during the week end for bilateral talks. The visit holds significance for Sri Lanka because of Japan’s role in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process. Also, it is happening in the context of President Wickremesinghe visiting Japan and meeting with the leaders there including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.  

This is also the highest level visit from Japan after bilateral relations soured following Sri Lanka’s unilateral cancellation of the Japan-financed Light Rail Transit Project. There are fresh attempts now being made to revive the project for implementation after the completion of the debt restructuring process.  

Sri Lanka’s international engagements have seen an increase in the recent past with the president undertaking an official visit to New Delhi last week and holding talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries reached an understanding on a host of connectivity projects in areas such as electricity, air linkages and petroleum services.