Appreciation - Dr. Rangith Nelson Withanage :

A bridge between Sri Lanka and Japan has ended

Dr. Rangith Nelson Withanage, Hony. Consul General for Sri Lanka in Osaka, Japan passed away in Colombo on 23rd morning as a result of myocardial Infarction. He was in Colombo in connection with a familiarisation program for Consul Generals from over 50 countries under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on tourism and business promotion.

Dr. Withanage was an M.A., Ph.D in Economics of the Osaka and Hiroshima National Universities in Japan and had been resident in Osaka since 1971. He was Managing Director of the Japan Sri Lanka Good Will Centre and the Pan World Exchange Research Centre. He also served as a member of the Osaka Mayor's special advisory panel, interpreter for the Ministry of Justice and the Immigration Bureau and an Interpreter for the Osaka Police Headquarters.

It may be mentioned that Dr. Withanage's doctorial thesis was carried out mainly in Japanese, using even primary sources dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The subject was the role played by Japanese entrepreneurs in the economics modernization of Japan. His contributions in the scholastic and cultural spheres were numerous and varied.

He was dedicated teacher of Sri Lankan culture and the Sinhala Language. He lectured on the social economic and cultural conditions in Sri Lanka at the invitation of city governments, voluntary organisations, companies and various academic institutions including schools and Universities. He was awarded by his fluency in Japanese, English and Sinhala.

This was illustrated by his winning the outstanding speaker's trophy and awards at the 14th International Oratorical contest held in Tokyo in June 1973, sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Educational Centre, and also the First prize at the Foreigners Speech Contest in Japanese held at Osaka University of Foreign Languages in September 1971.

A major part of Dr. Withanage's Good Will Centre work covered interpretation and translation for high Courts, District Courts, Prosecuting Officers, Police Stations, Detention Houses, Prisons and attorneys at law in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Chiba, Okayama etc. He was also a interpreter/translator for several private companies and organisations.

As a recognised co-ordinator and advisor on tourism, culture and enhancement of bilateral relations, he was requested by the Osaka International Centre to prepare some ideas and plans using his long experience in Osaka with a view to making the centre's activities more useful to the over 130,000 foreigners in Osaka.

It was in recognition of his assistance to about 160 Sri Lankan Government cadres of all ranks and other religious and business leaders of all ranks and other religious and business leaders on their visits to Japan during the pat 20 years as interpreter, his association with Sri Lankan Leaders during their bi-lateral discussions with Japanese prime ministers, ministers and other leaders, that he was appointed Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Osaka in the year 1998 by the President of Sri Lanka.

It may be re-called in that connection that he had had very cordial relations with all the Sri Lankan Ambassadors in Tokyo and their staff and had been commended for his cooperation in bilateral activities. At the Asian Culture events and traditional dances show sponsored by the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 1985, he was entrusted by the embassy to represent and guide the Sri Lankan Group.

During the past 34 years he was always in the forefront of bilateral Academic and Cultural activities. He was elected Chairman of the International Foreign Students Union of the University of Osaka (1971) and was also the representative of the foreign students at Hiroshima University (1971-1974).

The funeral according to Buddhist rites will take place at the General cemetery, Borella today. The remains will be at Jayarathne Funeral Parlour from Wednesday 24th August, cortege leaving at 3.30 p.m. today 25th August.

Gamini Amarasinghe