Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition opens in Japan:

Lankan expo will strengthen ties - PM

The Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition will help deepen the understanding and goodwill between the peoples of Japan and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum yesterday. The exhibition which began yesterday will be held for two months.

He thanked the co-organisers of the exhibition - Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo National Museum of Japan and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka acknowledged with gratitude the highest patronage accorded by the Japanese Government towards organising the Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition with personal attention of Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, “who we regard as a good friend of Sri Lanka.”

“His unstinted support for the promotion of Japan-Sri Lanka relations during his tenure as the president of Japan-Sri Lanka Association had been tremendously invaluable,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition is the first-ever mega exhibition in the history of Japan-Sri Lanka relations presented to the people of Japan.

“The exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to showcase to the Japanese public, the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Sri Lanka under one roof at Heiseikan building of the Tokyo National Museum.

The 146 artifacts including 37 master pieces, 15 photographs of mural paintings and 18 photographs of archaeological sites depict the flourishing culture of Sri Lanka enriched by Buddhism during Sri Lanka’s history spanning over 2,550 years,” he said.

“Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic society consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims with mutual understanding and cooperation among each other for centuries was an example of peaceful coexistence.

This historic harmony was unfortunately disrupted by the terrorist group, LTTE over the last two decades when they started unleashing terror to achieve their objective, the division of the country. Our goal is to restore that historic harmony among ethnic groups by defeating ruthless terrorism by the LTTE,” the Prime Minister said.

“In line with the political agenda of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Mahinda Chintanaya, our Government has taken several initiatives to achieve peace and sustainable development to improve living conditions of the people in all segments of our society.

I am happy to note that friendly countries like Japan several initiatives to achieve peace and sustainable development to improve living conditions of the people in all segments of our society. I am happy to note that friendly countries like Japan have been supportive of the people’s friendly agenda of President Rajapaksa,” he said.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka added: “The Cultural Heritage Exhibition will also contribute immensely towards strengthening the long-standing and the cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Japan. I wish to state that the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Japan in December 2007 has laid a solid foundation for further consolidation of our bilateral relations.

“I must also say that the people of Sri Lanka have the highest affection and regard for the Government and people of Japan for their overwhelming generosity and goodwill extended to Sri Lanka for decades.

In more recent times such generosity of Japanese people became highly visible in the aftermath of the Tsunami in December 2004. The unprecedented level of humanity and large-heartedness shown by Japan towards Sri Lankan people during that natural calamity would remain firmly etched in our minds for many more years.

“The Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition, I am certain, will immensely help deepening the understanding and goodwill between the peoples of Japan and Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa has extended an invitation to Emperor Akihito and the Empress Michiko to grace this prestigious exhibition. I strongly believe that His Majesty would find the time to do so.

When Prime Minister Fukuda pays a visit to this Exhibition when he finds the time to do so, I am certain that he will be overwhelmed by the rich Sri Lankan culture as depicted by the exhibits displayed at this exhibition.

“I call upon the friendly people of Japan to visit the exhibition and see for themselves the marvels of cultural heritage of Sri Lanka displayed inside the Heiseikan building. May I take this opportunity to thank each and every organisation and individual who had contributed immensely to make this mega event - Sri Lanka Cultural Heritage Exhibition, a success.”