Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who will arrive in Colombo today, described Sri Lanka as a country with a growing influence in economic and political domains.

Speaking to reporters before leaving Tokyo yesterday, Abe noted he was the first Japanese premier to visit Sri Lanka in 24 years. He called Sri Lanka a country with a growing influence in economic and political domains”.

Japan’s premier arrived in Dhaka yesterday in the first leg of his South Asian tour and will fly to Colombo from Dhaka today.

Prime Minister Abe is to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo today to boost economic and security ties. They also aim to strengthen maritime territorial cooperation. Reports from Tokyo said Japan is ready to provide patrol boats to help Sri Lanka bolster its maritime guard.

“I hope to introduce the dynamism of both countries to Japan’s economy by strengthening relations with them and engaging in top-level sales activities,” said Abe, who is accompanied by 50 top Japanese corporate executives.