Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata engaged in an extensive discussion on the current disaster situation facing Sri Lanka, during a meeting at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament today.
During the discussion, Sajith Premadasa expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for dispatching relief and emergency service teams to assist Sri Lanka during this critical period.
He respectfully requested that Japan, as a longstanding and trusted friend who has always stood by Sri Lanka in times of crisis, extend its assistance once again. He further appealed for Japan’s specialized expertise, technology and workforce support to modernize the damaged road network and repair the severely affected railway system.
The Opposition Leader also briefed the Ambassador on the scale of the devastation, including widespread infrastructure collapse, the destruction of livelihoods, large-scale displacement and severe shortages of essential services.
He noted that several major hospitals are still without water, posing a serious risk in controlling disease outbreaks that often follow such disasters. He therefore stressed that Sri Lanka urgently requires Japan’s support at this moment and requested an intensification of humanitarian assistance.
Sajith Premadasa also underscored the importance of establishing transparent, accountable and non-politicized mechanisms to ensure that all domestic and international aid reaches affected communities promptly and without discrimination. (Newswire)