– Sri Lanka and Japan have reached a policy-level agreement to create technical employment opportunities in Japan for Sri Lankan fisheries graduates while strengthening cooperation to modernize Sri Lanka’s fisheries sector.The agreement was announced by Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar following discussions with Japan’s State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, NEMOTO Yukinori, at the Ministry of Fisheries in Tokyo.The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture and ocean resource management, with particular emphasis on improving Sri Lanka’s seafood value chain and expanding the presence of Sri Lankan seafood products in the Japanese market.

A key outcome of the meeting was Japan’s commitment to provide specialized technical employment opportunities for graduates from fisheries and technology faculties of Sri Lankan universities. Both sides agreed to expedite recruitment and processing arrangements through relevant foreign employment authorities and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tokyo.Minister Chandrasekar said Japan’s support in introducing advanced technology and expertise to Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry would help the sector meet international standards and enhance its contribution to the national economy.Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Japan, Professor Pivithuru Janaka Kumarasinghe, and Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, also attended the discussions.