'Irida Lanka' reports that Japan has sought a contract for providing technical expertise in Sri Lanka's bid to explore for oil along its coast, in return for the huge borrowings it had given to the island. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has made the proposal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at talks on the sidelines of the World Food Summit in Rome on June 03rd.
The newspaper says Japan is the latest country to join India and several others to take over the country's oil resources on the pretext of assisting in exploratory work.
At the discussion between the two leaders, Mr. Fukudo had also expressed satisfaction over the May 10th polls for the Eastern Provincial Council.
He added that Tokyo was prepared to grant more financial assistance towards the development of the province, 'Irida Lanka' added.
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The newspaper says Japan is the latest country to join India and several others to take over the country's oil resources on the pretext of assisting in exploratory work.
At the discussion between the two leaders, Mr. Fukudo had also expressed satisfaction over the May 10th polls for the Eastern Provincial Council.
He added that Tokyo was prepared to grant more financial assistance towards the development of the province, 'Irida Lanka' added.
LD
