Sunday Times 2
Lankan Embassy in Tokyo celebrates Independence Day
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Independence Day marked abroad
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo held a ceremony on February 4 to mark the 75th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka with the participation of high-level dignitaries, including Former Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda, Chairperson of the Japan-Sri Lanka Association, Yoshitaka Sakurada, Member of the House of Representatives, Former Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Executive Secretary of Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League, Nobumitsu Hayashi, Governor of Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) and Ambassador Yasushi Akashi, Former Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka.
The event was celebrated in the presence of over 400 guests representing the Government of Japan, diplomatic community, corporate entities, professionals of various disciplines, academia, and the Lankan community in Japan.
Following the hoisting of the flag and the singing of the national anthem in Sinhala and Tamil, multi-faith religious observances from Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic and Islamic faiths were conducted. A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.
Ambassador Rodney Perera spoke of the multi-faceted relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan underpinned by high-level cooperation and strong people-to-people ties which have existed even prior to formal establishment of diplomatic relations 71 years ago. He expressed hope that ties in political, economic, educational and employment spheres would be further strengthened with increased high-level visits and continued efforts of both public and private sectors of the two countries. He also recognised the initiatives of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Japan.
Yasuo Fukuda recalled long-cherished relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, expressing hope that the administration of Ranil Wickremasinghe would be able to steer Sri Lanka out of its current economic difficulties with the President’s knowledge and the recognition he enjoys in the international community. He called on both public and private sectors of both countries to join hands to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy.
Yoshitaka Sakurada, recalling the speech made by President J R Jayewardene at the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951, reiterated the commitment and the dedication of Japan to be a true partner to Sri Lanka during its current efforts for stabilising the economy, just as Sri Lanka stood by Japan its struggles after World War II.
Cultural artistes, resident in Japan, reflecting traditions of all ethnic communities of Sri Lanka, entertained the gathering with dance performances. Several Japanese performers sang classical Sri Lankan songs such as “Danno Budunge” and “Sakura Mal Pipila” fusing the music traditions of the two countries. The event also provided for display of Sri Lankan products and services.