May 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Thursday said that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, there is an urgent need to strengthen mutual understanding and relations between countries in the Asian region.

“Asia must expand relations between nations, especially globally. The Covid pandemic around the world is claiming a large number of lives and has had a devastating effect on economic activity around the world,” President Rajapaksa said, addressing the 26th International Conference on "The Future of Asia" held by Nikkei in Tokyo, Japan Thursday via video technology,

The Sri Lankan President emphasized that all nations should unite in understanding and trust at a time when no nation was prepared to face the unprecedented challenge that has been created by the pandemic.

“The epidemic ignores national boundaries. If the virus is allowed to spread uncontrollably anywhere in the world, the progress already made through vaccination elsewhere could be threatened and fatally affected. So speed is very important.”

The President also pointed out that the production capacity of the vaccines should be significantly increased and a mechanism should be created to make the vaccine available globally in a short period of time and supply should be expedited.

President Rajapaksa also stated that Sri Lanka hopes to strengthen bilateral relations with all countries, especially in the Asian region, with regard to trade and investment.

The International Conference on "The Future of Asia” is annually organized by Japan's Nikkei newspaper since 1995. The theme this year is "Shaping the post-COVID era: Asia's role in the global recovery". It is considered as an international conference that brings together political, economic, academic issues in the Asia-Pacific region and to freely present ideas on the role of Asia in the world.

Replying to a question on how Sri Lanka as a South Asian country, can balance its relations with China and India, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka has maintained a historic relationship with both India and China for centuries.

“Our cooperation with China is on par with the overall economic and trade trajectories. Like many other countries, China is a major investment partner of Sri Lanka. As a developing country, Sri Lanka seeks the support of all partner nations to accelerate development aspirations and improve the livelihoods of the people.”

The President said the government is keen to further strengthen ties with Asian and other countries.

“We are aware of world power rivalries and regional power dynamics. However, we pursue a neutral foreign policy. We consider India as our closest neighbor and long-term friend, and we understand their security needs and sensitivities. We will work closely with India and all regional partners to ensure the security of the Indian Ocean for the benefit of all countries,” President Rajapaksa assured.

The Nikkei newspaper hopes that President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's participation in the conference will greatly enhance the understanding of the Japanese business community in Sri Lanka, which has a unique location in the Indian Ocean.

Conference organizers point out that the Covid virus is changing the existence and nature of Asia. The Nikkei newspaper hopes to discuss whether the Asian leaders can defend the principles of “peace and stability” and “diversity” and move into a post-Covid era and whether they can overcome future epidemics and work together on international issues.

Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Malaysia Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayuth Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma are scheduled to address the two-day summit.