As a time-tested friend of Sri Lanka, Japan has always extended its assistance to our country, said Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.
He was speaking at the Joint Press Conference organized by the Foreign Ministry and the Japanese Embassy in Colombo to launch the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Japan, at the Sasakawa Centre in Colombo, on Wednesday (19).
Prof. Peiris mentioned that the two sides have made considerable progress, especially in the last few years, in enhancing bilateral engagement in a number of areas, including political, economic and people-to-people ties.
Sri Lanka is looking forward to working with the Japanese Government to further deepen and strengthen the development partnership and take it to even greater heights in the years to come, he further said.
Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki said that Japan will always remember the support extended by former President J.R. Jayewardene to assist Japan’s post-war return to the international community and also the assistance Sri Lanka extended to Japan in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
Prior to the joint press conference, a stakeholders’ meeting was held to exchange views on a variety of commemorative events to be organized in 2022, and on the Action Plan, entailing an outreach programme for the public, to celebrate this milestone in the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan.
Accordingly, four regional programmes in Hambantota, Kegalle, Jaffna and Batticaloa will be organized, highlighting Japanese and Sri Lanka socio-cultural affinities.
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the National Youth Services Council will take the initiative to organize islandwide essay, art and short video competitions for school students.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Jayanath Colombage in his closing remarks stated that this is the first time in recorded history that the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with a Colombo-based diplomatic mission is undertaking an outreach programme focused on the local community in rural areas to commemorate such a milestone.
Government Information Department Director General Mohan Samaranayake, Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Sonala Gunawardana, National Youth Services Council Director General Damitha Wickramasinghe and Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne were also present.
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