‘Japanese Week’ : Celebrating 60 years of friendship
The Lanka Japan Friendship Society announced the launch of ‘Japanese Week’ – a week of celebrations to be held from March 11- 19. This week of celebrations will be held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Lanka Japan Friendship Society.
Speaking at a press conference last week, President of the Lanka Japan Friendship Society Sumana D. Liyanage highlighted the plans of the society for the friendship week. He felt that as one of the foremost friendship societies in Sri Lanka, the Japan Lanka Friendship Society has helped strengthen the existing bond between the two countries by working together with the Japanese embassy.
The Lanka Japan Friendship Society was established in 1956. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Japan at the time, Sir Susantha de Fonseka, promoted the idea of establishing the association, which is now the oldest friendship society in the country. The society has benefited both nations, with one of the most notable contributions Japan has made to Sri Lanka being the donation of 7.5 million Japanese Yen for the construction of houses for tsunami victims.
The chairpersons for the different projects being held during the week explained their plans for their respective projects. This included a scholarship scheme for 15 less fortunate students to study Japanese, a memorial service for victims of the 2011 Tsunami in Japan on March 13 at the Gangaramaya temple as well as a health camp which has been identified as one of the main events for the week.
A special souvenir to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the society will be printed as a newspaper supplement and this is expected to be similar to a handbook of Japan – with many cultural and historical aspects of Japan being included in the supplement.
The health camp will be held on the 16th at the Sedewatte Purana Viharaya and is expected to help at least 500 less fortunate citizens living in the area.