The Japanese government has denied claims it plans to host a debt restructuring conference for Sri Lanka. In a press conference held yesterday, the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi said there is no preparation to hold such a conference with Sri Lanka.

“We are carefully monitoring the grave economic situation in Sri Lanka. Given the humanitarian situation in the country we are currently implementing plans to provide humanitarian aid in the form of pharmaceutical products and food to the country” he said.

“We hope the Sri Lankan government in coordination with the IMF are trying to implement financial and economic solutions while ensuring transparency. Our country will carefully monitor the situation in Sri Lanka and discuss with Sri Lanka or other international donor organisations” he added.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had told Reuters this month that Sri Lanka would ask Japan to invite the main creditor nations to talks on restructuring bilateral debts. He said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo next month.