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Japan remembers Lanka’s help after disastrous 2011 quake 5 years ago
View(s):Japan this week appreciated the assistance extended by the Sri Lanka government and its people when one of its regions felt the enormous brunt of the 9.0 earthquake which followed the tsunami in 2011.
In a special message marking the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Tohoku, the Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Kenichi Suganuma remembered the special Bodhi Pooja that was organised and prayers at Temple Trees to invoke blessings upon the victims and their families. “On behalf of the government and people of Japan, I wish to renew our heartfelt gratitude to all the people of Sri Lanka for extending their hand of friendship at such a tragic moment.”
“I would also like to convey the warm feelings of gratitude of the government and people of Japan to the government and people of Sri Lanka for the magnanimous emergency assistance provided by Sri Lanka in the aftermath of this great tragedy.” he said.Japan received US$ 1 million as well as a consignment of Sri Lankan tea from the government and people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan government immediately provided emergency assistance and dispatched a fifteen -member disaster relief team on hearing the scale of the disaster. The team undertook their operations in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.
“The local people are all grateful for their dedication and energetic services throughout the operations. The Japanese media highly praised all of Sri Lankan supports, particularly the outstanding ground work accomplished by the Sri Lankan disaster relief team who had cleared large areas of debris within a short span of time, much to the relief of the residents.” Ambassador Suganuma noted.
Recalling when Sri Lanka was devastated by the tsunami in 2004, Japan too rushed with relief assistance comprising rescue teams and emergency medical supply to show solidarity and sympathy, and continually provided assistance for rehabilitation of tsunami-affected areas for a long period of time. “Such is the depth of our friendly relations.”
Five years ago the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami hit devastating many parts of Eastern Japan. The disaster claimed 15,000 lives of people and even today more than 2,500 people are still missing, including foreign citizens.