Japanese Embassy official at national flag handing over ceremony:

'Japan was always grateful to Sri Lanka'

Athapattu Bandara

Japan was always grateful to Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka was one of the first nations who voiced in favour of Japan in the international arena

soon after the World War II, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka, K. Hamado said.

He was attending the "Bon Voyage" ceremony and the official handing over of the Sri Lanka national flag to scout contingent representing Sri Lanka in "Road to Japan 2012" Jamboree from October 26 to November 5 in Yamaguchi, Japan. The Sri Lanka scouts will be represented by one leader and two scouts at the Jamboree on a sponsorship from the Japanese government.

Over 100 participants from 30 countries have been selected in addition to Japanese scouts. This will enable the scouts to understand different cultures and traditions of other countries and to blend at the world Scout Jamboree in 2015 and the Asia Pacific Regional Jamboree in 2013. The First Secretary further said the long standing relationship between the two countries has cemented a bond between two nations. Both countries have helped each other during crisis situations. Sri Lanka has helped Japan in a number of occasions and Japan has also come forward to assist Sri Lanka when required, he added.

Sri Lanka Scout Chief Commissioner Prof. Nimal De Silva congratulating Sri Lankan scouts said, "you are ambassadors of the country. You should take the real image of Sri Lanka with a massage that Sri Lanka is now free of terrorism and the best place to visit".

The participants who attend from various countries should be convinced that normalcy has been restored and post war Sri Lanka is ready to welcome other nations, he added.

Sri Lanka Scouts International Commissioner Janaprith Fernando explaining the objectives of the programme thanked the Japanese government for sponsoring students to mingle with other nations in the world and giving them an opportunity to bring Sri Lanka's real image through these students.

" This will promote international understanding and build friendship among all participants. This will be good opportunity to promote Sri Lanka's culture and tradition before other nations, he said.

Colombo District Branch President Brigadier J. P. A. Jayawardena also spoke. Mohammad Firaz Muheed, Nipuni Randitha Jayamaha, Don Gayal Daksitha Colonne will represent Sri Lanka at the programme.