The Japanese newspaper has stated that the decision taken by the Sri Lankan government to keep the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port in the possession of the Ports Authority is unilateral and regrettable. This was quoted by a spokesman for the Japanese Embassy in India.

The Hindu has exchanged views with the ambassador, who has said that the Sri Lankan government will look into the decision in detail.

The newspaper report also points to the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed by Japan, India and Sri Lanka on the Eastern Terminal in May 2019.

The Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akira Sugiyama had a lengthy discussion with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Monday.

Prior to the meeting, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley met with the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of External Affairs.

The Hindu reports that Indian Foreign Minister Dr. Subramaniam Jayashankar was optimistic about the investment when he visited Sri Lanka on 06 January .

It is reported that there is no official word yet on the investment in the Western Terminal and the Hindu says it should look into whether the Western Terminal is as strategically important as the Eastern Terminal.