Sunday Times 2
Sunil Gamini Wijesinha receives Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
View(s):HE Mr Mizukoshi Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” on Sunil Gamini Wijesinha, former President of Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association, JASTECA, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka, by disseminating the Japanese management styles in Sri Lanka.
Mr Wijesinha has played a pivotal role in promoting Japanese management practices in Sri Lanka. His deep appreciation for Japanese technology and management techniques goes back to the experience as a trainee in Japan in 1980. As a long-committed member of JASTECA, he leveraged his engineering background to introduce and implement Japanese management methods, including Quality Circles, a system involving non-executive employees in enhancing quality and productivity; 5S principle, which encompasses sorting, setting in order, shining, standardizing, and sustaining to improve corporate management and customer satisfaction; and Kaizen, a practice of continuous improvement within organizations.
Ambassador Mizukoshi commended Mr Wijesinha for not just introducing but also popularising and firmly establishing Japanese management techniques in Sri Lanka. He highlighted that this effort had not only played a significant role in advancing the country’s economic growth but had also resulted in an overall improvement in the well-being of its people.
“The Order of the Rising Sun” is awarded by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan to foreign nationals who have made distinguished contribution to enhancing friendly relations with Japan.