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Shinzo Abe’s assassination: World has lost a great leader says PM

08 Jul 2022

In his condolence message over the passing of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesonghe stated that the world has lost a great leader who had developed the concept of "Two Oceans, Two Continents" which brought the Indo-Pacific region to the forefront. “Shinzo Abe was not only the Prime Minister of Japan, but also a global leader who was held in high esteem even after retirement. He played a key role in promoting the Trans- Pacific Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and was one of the original architects of the QUAD,” Wickremesinghe said. He added that he got to know Mr. Abe well during his tenure as Prime Minister from 2015-2019.  “In this period the Japanese Government, under Mr. Abe, made the largest commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka from 1977 to 1989. This included a US $1.8bn in investment for a LRT project, a US $500m investment in the Colombo South Port East Container Terminal project, and a US $940m investment in the Central Expressway. In addition the Japanese Government agreed to develop a LNG power plant at Kerawalapitiya,” Wickremesinghe said. He also noted that Mr. Abe agreed to assist Sri Lankain in the development of the Kandy city while also expressing an interest in developing the Trincomalee harbour jointly with India. “It was unfortunate that Sri Lanka was unable to utilise these opportunities given to us by Mr Abe to develop our economy. I extend my deepest condolences to Akie Abe, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and the people of Japan,” the message concluded.


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