Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations in Tokyo

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo commemorated the 65th Anniversary of Independence at the Reiyukai Hall in Tokyo on Monday, 4 February, amidst a large gathering of Sri Lankan expatriates and Japanese officials including Yasuo Fukuda, Former Prime Minister of Japan, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the ceremony.

The ceremony comprised of the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, rendering of the national anthem and reading of messages of H.E the President, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka.

Distinguished invitees at the Independence Day ceremony on 4 February (from left): Makoto Matsuda, Director of the South West Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry, Dammika Kulatunga, Manager, SriLankan Airlines, KazuhideI Shikawa, Director General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Division, Yoshio Kawai, Deputy Director of Reiyukai, Yasuo Fukuda, Former Prime Minister of Japan, Admiral (Rtd.) Wasantha Karannagoda, Ambassador, D.W. Aluthgamage, Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka in Osaka, Isamu Nitta, President, Japan – Sri Lanka Association, Jagath Ramanayake, President of Sri Lanka Automobile Exporters Association of Japan, Nilam Alawdeen, President of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Japan, Yasa Gamage, Representative of the Sri Lankan Ladies’ Association in Japan, and Anura Batuwatta, President of the SLFP branch in Japan.

Admiral (Rtd.) Wasantha Karannagoda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, when delivering his message of greetings to the gathering highlighted the close and friendly relations that Japan and Sri Lanka have shared over the years, recollecting the support extended to Japan by Sri Lanka at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951 and the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1952.

 Looking back at 60 years of diplomatic relations, today Japan supports Sri Lanka as one of the single largest donors to the country with financial assistance extended to the country in the short, medium and long term.

Admiral (Rtd.) Wasantha Karannagoda, Ambassador of Sri Lanka addresses the gathering on 4 February at Reiyukai Hall in Tokyo

Ambassador Admiral Karannagoda stressed that the cordial and close support from Japan has greatly assisted Sri Lanka in its reconstruction and development following the end of three decades of LTTE terrorism.

Isamu Nitta, Former Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and current President of Japan-Sri Lanka Association, also addressed the gathering with wishes for the special

Members of the Sri Lanka Students’ Association in Japan perform cultural dances.

occasion, stressing on the warm and friendly ties between the two countries that have developed over the years.

Following the formal ceremony, all attendees were treated to a breakfast of traditional Sri Lankan food and were entertained by cultural dance performances by members of the Sri Lanka Students’ Association in Japan.