Sri Lanka — Japan Business Council holds 45th AGM; gets Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation Award 

Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi

Sri Lanka-Japan Business Council President Mahen Kariyawasan

The Sri Lanka – Japan Business Council (SLJBC) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on Monday held its 45th AGM where for the first time it also received the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation Award.

It was presented by Japanese Ambassador and Patron of the Council Hideaki Mizukoshi who was also the Chief Guest.

This prestigious award was given in recognition of the Council’s unwavering support in strengthening bilateral trade, tourism, and investment ties between Sri Lanka and Japan.

Andrew The Travel Company Ltd. Managing Director Mahen Kariyawasan was re-elected President of the SLJBC for the year 2024/25. Vice Presidents elected were Hayleys Advantis Ltd. Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne, Hirohama Ceylon Ltd. Director Athulla R.F. Edirisinghe, Prudential Shipping Lines Ltd. Managing Director Rohitha Mendis, ASOL Traders Proprietor Chanaka Kariyapperuma, and Amano Lanka Engineering Ltd. Managing Director Sarath De Costa.

Veteran Merrick Gooneratne of Tos Lanka Company Ltd., will continue to serve the committee as the immediate past president.

The committee consists representatives from Brandix Apparel Ltd., Dentsu Grant Ltd, Heritage Teas Ltd, Lanka Harness Ltd., Venora International Projects Ltd., Spear International Ltd., and Vidullanka PLC.

In his speech SLJBC President Mahen Kariyawasan highlighted the Council’s efforts to foster business relations with Japan, including providing insights to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, including how best to leverage business opportunities in the two countries.

In his speech Kariyawasam expressed his gratitude to members for their continued support and commitment to enhancing the trade and economic relations between our two great nations — Sri Lanka and Japan.

“Over the years, our Council has been a crucial bridge between the business communities of Sri Lanka and Japan, fostering greater collaboration, understanding, and shared growth. This has been an especially dynamic period for us, as we have navigated various global challenges with resilience, determination, and a spirit of innovation,” he said.

In view of the Osaka Expo scheduled to be held from April to October 2025, Kariyawasam stressed the importance of seizing such opportunities to enhance trading activities and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

He said the Expo, with its theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” provides a unique platform to showcase Sri Lanka’s potential to the world. It will be a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and human progress, drawing millions of visitors from across the globe.

“We must consider how we can leverage this opportunity to its fullest potential. The World Expo in Osaka is not just an exhibition; it is an occasion for us to highlight Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, heritage, and economic possibilities. It is a moment for us to engage with global partners, attract investment, and build new connections,” Kariyawasam added.

“Let us view the World Expo Osaka 2025 not just as an event, but as a significant opportunity to elevate our bilateral relationship to new heights.”

He called for active participation of members in the preparations for the Expo, to bring forward innovative ideas, and to make the most of this opportunity to position Sri Lanka as a key player on the global stage. “I am confident that, with our shared vision, commitment, and hard work, we can achieve remarkable success at the Expo and beyond,” Kariyawasam added. The SLJBC AGM also saw a presentation on Sri Lanka’s plans for World Expo Osaka Expo2025 by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Managing Director Nalin Perera.

For the upcoming year, the SLJBC President Kariyawasam also listed several initiatives and goals to pursue.

1. Strengthening bilateral trade: We must continue to enhance our trade relations, focusing on key sectors such as technology, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy. The Expo presents an ideal platform to showcase our products, services, and innovations, opening doors to new markets.

2. Promoting investment: We should actively promote Sri Lanka as an investment destination at the Expo. Our country offers numerous opportunities in areas like renewable energy, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and tourism. By engaging with potential investors and showcasing our strengths, we can attract capital, technology, and expertise to Sri Lanka.

3. Cultural exchange and tourism: Osaka 2025 offers a chance to highlight Sri Lanka’s unique cultural heritage. By showcasing our art, music, cuisine, and traditions, we can promote Sri Lanka as a prime tourist destination, fostering greater people-to-people connections.

4. Collaborative innovation: The theme of the Expo emphasises innovation and sustainable development. We must explore avenues for joint research and development, knowledge sharing, and innovation between Sri Lankan and Japanese enterprises. This will enable us to create solutions that address global challenges, such as climate change, food security, and technological advancements.

5. Leveraging strategic partnerships: Our relationships with Japanese companies and organisations will be pivotal in our journey toward success at Osaka 2025. We should collaborate closely with Japanese counterparts to create win-win scenarios, ensuring mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

Pix by Ruwan Walpola