The Order of the Rising Sun from Japan to Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa
2017/6/21
June 21, 2017
His Excellency Mr. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan, conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” upon Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa, Vice Patron of Lanka Japan Friendship Society (LJFS), on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, in recognition of her significant contribution to promoting Japanese culture and understanding of Japan in Sri Lanka, at a special ceremony held on June 20 at the Ambassador’s residence in Colombo.
Upon her keen interest on Japan, Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa, who is the wife of late George Rajapaksa, former Minister of Health, joined LJFS with a high intention to promote the organization’s activities.
She assumed the post of the president of LJFS in July 2004, as the first female to achieve it. Her leadership and her vibrant personality helped herself to serve immensely towards the development of LJFS. She held leadership for about three years, during which she dedicated assistance to construct 12 houses and a community center for the victims of the 2004 Tsunami disaster, in collaboration with Japan Sri Lanka Association in Japan.
After she resigned from the president, Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa was honoured to become the first female vice patron of LJFS in 2010. Since then she has been greatly supporting successive presidents of LJFS and contributing to bringing out positive involvement of female members of LJFS.
The order conferred upon Ms. Rajapaksa is the evidence of high appreciation and strong friendship by the government and the people of Japan.
Upon her keen interest on Japan, Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa, who is the wife of late George Rajapaksa, former Minister of Health, joined LJFS with a high intention to promote the organization’s activities.
She assumed the post of the president of LJFS in July 2004, as the first female to achieve it. Her leadership and her vibrant personality helped herself to serve immensely towards the development of LJFS. She held leadership for about three years, during which she dedicated assistance to construct 12 houses and a community center for the victims of the 2004 Tsunami disaster, in collaboration with Japan Sri Lanka Association in Japan.
After she resigned from the president, Ms. Lalitha Rajapaksa was honoured to become the first female vice patron of LJFS in 2010. Since then she has been greatly supporting successive presidents of LJFS and contributing to bringing out positive involvement of female members of LJFS.
The order conferred upon Ms. Rajapaksa is the evidence of high appreciation and strong friendship by the government and the people of Japan.