Japan-Lanka ties

Japan and Sri Lanka share a centuries-old friendship. It has developed over the years on many fronts. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s current visit to Japan will no doubt strengthen these bonds.

It is often said that many other Asian nations were ahead of Japan economically when the war ended in 1945. Today, Japan has beaten them all in terms of development and become one of the eight leading industrialised countries.

Japan is the economic powerhouse of Asia, though South Korea and China are catching up. There are many lessons Lanka can draw from Japan - the perseverance of the Japanese people against all odds, their dedication to work and their strict adherence to cultural and religious norms are among them.

In fact, Japan is a blend of the ancient and the modern where old customs still hold sway amidst the gleam of modern skyscrapers.

Japan has always been a true friend of emerging economies across Asia and Africa. It is Sri Lanka’s biggest aid donor, having granted funds for several mega projects and infrastructure projects. Japanese companies have also made substantial investments in Sri Lanka.

There is a healthy volume of trade between the two countries. Though tilted in favour of Japan at present, we hope the President’s interactions with the Japanese business community will lead to more Japanese investments in Sri Lanka and more Lankan exports to Japan.

It is no secret that many Sri Lankans are living in Japan, legally and illegally. We hope this Presidential visit would lay the foundation for the opening of the Japanese labour market to Sri Lankans, at least on a limited scale. Such a step is likely to prevent illegal migration to Japan.

Japan has been a firm supporter of Sri Lanka’s Peace Process, having assigned a senior diplomat as a special envoy to Sri Lanka. This is another indication of Japan’s desire to see an end to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

As a member of the Co-Chairs of the Peace Process, it has upheld Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the need for a political solution, to which the Sri Lankan Government remains deeply committed.

President Rajapaksa’s visit can thus be described as a significant chapter in Japan-Lanka relations.

Human Rights Day

The world is celebrating the Human Rights Day today. Sometimes shortened to HR, this term has assumed an aura of its own. No discussion on governance is complete without at least a passing reference to human rights.

Sri Lankans are no strangers to human rights. Its vibrant Buddhist civilisation has imparted the notion of human rights on the wider society. Thus Lankans will feel perfectly at home with the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s call to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights an integral part of everyone’s life.

The Declaration’s ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone are increasingly relevant in a world torn part by conflict and poverty. Drafted 60 years ago, the Declaration was the first global statement on the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings.

As Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe says in the facing article, it has inspired the Constitution of many newly independent States (including Sri Lanka) and many new democracies.

The challenge for individual states is to ensure that fundamental freedoms enshrined in it are a reality for everyone, not only for a few. As moon says it is a chance to ensure that these rights are a living reality - that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.

Many believe that human rights is all about political and social rights such as the freedom of expression. But the right to decent work, the right to economic emancipation and the right to education and health are very much a part of the human rights agenda.

Women and children are especially vulnerable when it comes to human rights. Giving them more opportunities for education and health is essential. Sri Lanka has an envious record in this regard.

Many countries would not worry much about human rights in a conflict situation, but Sri Lanka has consistently expressed its commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other HR conventions.

The proposed Human Rights Charter could be another excellent opportunity for further refining our HR laws and regulations and to reiterate the country’s commitment towards the protection and upholding of human rights.