While Japan is Sri Lanka's largest creditor, about 10% of its debt is held by China, which lent Colombo billions to build seaports, airports and power plants as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

Japan to Resume Funding for Stalled Projects in Sri Lanka, Envoy Says By Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO (Reuters) - Japan will resume funding for all stalled projects in Sri Lanka, Tokyo's envoy there ...

China is drawing inspiration and ideas from Japan’s highly successful soft power strategy in Sri Lanka. Historically, Japan has played a pivotal role as an economic and trade partner for Sri Lanka.