LRT project cancellation shocked Japan – Breaking News

*Things started to change only after RW apologized and asked for supportt

Colombo, October 23 (Daily Mirror) – Japan’s outgoing ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki said the cancellation of the LRT (Light Rail Transit) project during the time of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a typical case of ‘a very little decision transparent’, and after that, it was difficult for him to get assistance from Sri Lankan Japan.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, he said that things only started to move forward when then-president Ranil Wickremesing apologized for the cancellation and asked Japan for support.

“I think it is a typical case of a very non-transparent decision. I don’t know who won with the cancellation. It is true that Sri Lanka unilaterally canceled this project, which had been agreed upon by both governments in 2019. It shocked the government of Japan, JICA and everyone else involved, including the companies involved. Due to this very regrettable cancellation, I think Sri Lanka has lost the trust of not only Japan but also other foreign countries,” he said.

He said Japan has officially decided to resume disbursement for 11 loan projects that remained stalled due to the economic crisis.

“We have already disbursed 12.5 billion Japanese yen, which is equivalent to about US$87 million by the end of September,” he said.

Commenting on the business environment, he said that Sri Lanka has very high growth potential considering the strategic location in the Indian Ocean, but Sri Lanka needs improvements in creating a fair, credible and transparent business environment.

“It is a hub for 90 percent of global trade and 70 percent of oil transportation in this region,” he said.

The outgoing ambassador said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected with a mandate from the people to resolve anti-corruption issues and this is an unprecedented opportunity for Sri Lanka to rid itself of these old practices and improve the business environment.