Sri Lanka and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties with series of events

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki speaks at the media briefing to announce plans on celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties at the Sasakawa Centre along with Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris — Pic by Shehan Gunasekera

By Jerome Vincent

Sri Lanka and Japan will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations with a series of events to further strengthen cooperation. 

Preliminary plans for celebrations were revealed at a joint media conference by Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki at the Sasakawa Centre earlier this week. 

It was stressed that Sri Lanka has been maintaining an excellent relationship with Japan in the fields of political, economic, bilateral engagements, technology, investment, education and cultural dimensions.  Events planned to commemorate the 70th anniversary will be held in Hambantota, Kegalle, Jaffna and Batticaloa. 

At the briefing, Japan’s magnanimous support to set up three unique institutions was highlighted and they will play a key role in upcoming celebrations. They are the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital and National Youth Services Council (NYSC). 

SLRC and NYSC will conduct islandwide essay competitions in Sinhalese, Tamil and English languages: painting competitions and short video competitions to school children will also be held. Both countries firmly believe that the commemoration of events will further consolidate bilateral relationships.

“Japan is a tried and tested friend in all circumstances,” Foreign Minister Peiris told the briefing. 

“Celebration of 70 years of friendship is between the governments, people and entrepreneurs of both countries. The quality relationship between two countries has enhanced bilateral relationships, trade and student exchange programs,” he added. 

Prof. Peiris also said that Japan had contributed significantly under the Colombo Plan. “Japan is a country which identifies the needs, priorities and requirements of a country and provides assistance to fulfil the needs of Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka has immensely benefited from the pragmatic approach followed by the Japanese Government,” Prof. Peiris said. He said Japan also initiated skills development projects in Sri Lanka. “The Institute of Technology at the Colombo University is a gift from the Japanese Government,” he added.

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki said: “Japan has enjoyed a great historic friendship with Sri Lanka spanning for seventy years. Japan has provided greater assistance to this beautiful country during this period.” 

He recalled the treaty of San Francisco in 1951 when the United Nation’s initiated a treaty of peace between Japan and allied countries.  “At this conference, former President of Sri Lanka late J.R Jayewardene delivered a speech defending Japan that sanctions should not be imposed and quoting hatred ceases not by hatred but by love. This speech won the admiration of Japanese citizens and Japan still remembers his speech,” Ambassador Mizukoshi said. 

He said that, as gratitude, Japan gifted three main unique Institutions to Sri Lanka: SLRC, NYSC and Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.  It was pointed out that Japan had assisted Sri Lanka during the Tsunami in 2004 and donated 1.46 million vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Ambassador expressed the hope that the series of celebrations planned to mark the 70th anniversary at a high note would help the friendship between the two countries to be more fruitful and to blossom in the years to come.

Foreign Ministry Secretary, Admiral Prof Jayantha Colombage said: ‘’Japan has not forgotten Sri Lanka during the past 70 years.  Sri Lanka was one of the nine Asian countries represented at the San Francisco conference in 1951. Further, Japanese business organisations have participated in many joint ventures including Tokyo Cement, Colombo Dockyard and Noritake. Celebration of Japanese Tea day will be held in March, and the friendship between the two countries will last long and will go from strength to strength”. 

Apart from the three institutions, the Department of Information from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura will also be involved in the planned events. The celebrations will also assist students who are keen on learning Japanese as a foreign language. The Foreign Ministry will encourage residents from Jaffna and Batticaloa to join the Sri Lanka Foreign Service when celebrations are held in these two districts. 

Department of Government Information Director General - Information Mohan Samaranayake, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Sonala Gunawardana, National Youth Services Council Damitha Wickramasinghe and Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne were also present at the media briefing.