Sri Lanka, Dec. 14 -- Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, accompanied by a high-profile delegation, called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (13).

Conveying his wishes to the President on his recent election victory, Mr. Toshimitsu called Sri Lanka a "special friend" of Japan.

Extending an invitation to President Rajapaksa to visit Japan, Mr. Toshimitsu said Japan will be hosting an international conference titled 'Friends of Asia' in May next year. He said it would be an appropriate time for the President's visit to Japan. President Rajapaksa has been in agreement.

Sri Lanka and Japan have reiterated their commitment to identifying key areas of cooperation and strengthening of bilateral...