Japanese envoy in Colombo says no decision on reviving LRT project yet

30 March 2023 04:24 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Hideaki Mizukoshi yesterday said a decision has not yet been made on reviving the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded US $ 2.2 billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, stretching from Colombo Fort to Malabe, which was abruptly terminated by the previous government.

“No decision has yet been made. But it all depends on how the reforms of the Sri Lankan government go and whether Sri Lanka can regain the trust from the Japanese government and business community,” Mizukoshi told a breakfast forum organised by the Ceylon Motor Traders Association in Colombo, yesterday. “I think all depends on that. When those conditions are met, I think it will be considered,”

he added. Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga recently said President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government is ready to renew the LRT project contract with a JICA loan facility, given its favourable conditions, including the low-interest rates and grace period of 12 years, which were completely ignored by the previous regime.

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Comments - 6

Prianka Nalin Senbitatne Thursday, 30 March 2023 06:21 AM

Why are the Japanese pushing a massive new project without helping revive the existing public transport system? If they can help revamp the public transportation and electronic traffic control, people will shift to public transport and drivers will behave better in fear of the eye on the sky.

Malij Thursday, 30 March 2023 06:57 AM

You can see the extent of damage we had done to sour the relationship with a genuine friend of SL.

Athk69 Thursday, 30 March 2023 07:26 AM

Yes until the faces that represented the previous government is gone, who can trust them again.

Jude Thursday, 30 March 2023 08:38 AM

If juppa can't do get our friend china to do it!! The city urgently needs a LRT to reduce the congestion immediately!!

Ns Thursday, 30 March 2023 11:26 AM

Sri Lankan government! Same old ingredients in new packings . Corrupt is not the word

Thomas Thursday, 30 March 2023 11:45 PM

Don't take loans. Instead; invite the Japanese to finance, build, operate

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Japanese envoy in Colombo says no decision on reviving LRT project yet

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