Japan - Lanka have always maintained healthy ties - ambassador

Rasika SOMARATHNA

During the past 60 years, Japan and Sri Lanka have maintained the bonds of friendship on a firm foundation, Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo said addressing the fellowship dinner to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, hosted by the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society on Friday at Hotel Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

He also said Japan - Sri Lanka Friendship Society has made yeomen contributions towards promoting and maintaining healthy ties between the two countries since its inception in 1956.

The ambassador who participated as the Chief Guest on the occasion also noted that Japan has been a true friend of Sri Lanka and has helped in numerous ways to uplift the country’s socio - economic infrastructure and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the north after the conflict.

He also fondly remembered the speech made by the former, late President J.R.Jayewardene in support of Japan at the San Francisco Conference in 1951 in the aftermath of the World War II, which is remembered as a symbolic event in returning of Japan to the international community later on.

President of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society Deepal S Guneratne noted that Japan has been one of the closest friends of Sri Lanka since diplomatic ties were established 60 years ago.

He said members of various organizational branches under the Japanese Embassy has been brought under one roof on the occasion of the fellowship dinner to commemorate 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and added that it was also an opportune moment to further strengthen bonds among the members of these units.

The event was attended by members of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society, Japanese Embassy Staff and members of other organisations affiliated to the Japanese embassy.