Lanka-Japan Friendship Society Annual General Meeting 2019
2019/6/28
Ambassador's Speech
Mr. Rajah Sinnathuray, President of Lanka-Japan Friendship Society
Distinguished Members of the Society
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for inviting me to the Annual General Meeting of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society this evening. This is my first opportunity to attend the AGM of the Society since my arrival in Sri Lanka last October, and it gives me a great honour to stand in the presence of distinguished members of the Society, each of whom has been a pioneer in shaping our relationship in various fields. I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Society for successfully convening the Lanka Japan Friendship Society Annual General Meeting 2019 today.
In fact, as is manifested in the name itself, the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society has been a primary organization in bringing the peoples of our two countries closer by bridging the two island nations together. And as the oldest friendship society between Sri Lanka and Japan, which was founded in 1956 -only four years after the establishment of our diplomatic ties- the Society has walked along the long path since the very dawn of our relationship while enriching the history of our friendship consistently.
Its activities outreach far and wide, ranging from ceremonial, cultural and academic domains, the latest of which was a lecture delivered by Professor Karunaratne on March 26, held in commemoration of the late Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis. Professor Karunaratne’s sharp observation on the lessons learnt from the history of the Japanese economic development spoke loud of the depth and richness of activities organized by the Society. With the wealth of valued and resourceful friends, the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society has always been our source of assurance, a reliable partner and the fountainhead of new inspiration.
In the new Japanese era of Reiwa, which was sublimely inaugurated on the first day of May this year, with noble aspirations to spread the message of beautiful harmony and peace to the world, I would like to commit afresh my resolution to further strengthen our excellent relationship that we enjoy today, and towards this end, I call upon all the members of the Society to join this virtuous endeavor, with renewed spirit, at this important juncture of the new beginning.
Distinguished members,
The year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan. With this milestone in sight, as well as mega sports events such as Rugby World Cup and Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games afoot, there are ample opportunities to generate fresh momentum to reach out to our goals. I believe today’s AGM has been instrumental in setting a new direction to guide us in the era of Reiwa, which contains the meaning of “culture coming into being and flourishing when people bring their hearts and minds together in a beautiful manner”.
On this note and my heartfelt appreciation for inviting myself and the Embassy officials to this pleasant and inspiring evening, I would like to close my remarks.
Thank you very much.
Distinguished Members of the Society
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for inviting me to the Annual General Meeting of the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society this evening. This is my first opportunity to attend the AGM of the Society since my arrival in Sri Lanka last October, and it gives me a great honour to stand in the presence of distinguished members of the Society, each of whom has been a pioneer in shaping our relationship in various fields. I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Society for successfully convening the Lanka Japan Friendship Society Annual General Meeting 2019 today.
In fact, as is manifested in the name itself, the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society has been a primary organization in bringing the peoples of our two countries closer by bridging the two island nations together. And as the oldest friendship society between Sri Lanka and Japan, which was founded in 1956 -only four years after the establishment of our diplomatic ties- the Society has walked along the long path since the very dawn of our relationship while enriching the history of our friendship consistently.
Its activities outreach far and wide, ranging from ceremonial, cultural and academic domains, the latest of which was a lecture delivered by Professor Karunaratne on March 26, held in commemoration of the late Deshamanya Dr. P.R. Anthonis. Professor Karunaratne’s sharp observation on the lessons learnt from the history of the Japanese economic development spoke loud of the depth and richness of activities organized by the Society. With the wealth of valued and resourceful friends, the Lanka-Japan Friendship Society has always been our source of assurance, a reliable partner and the fountainhead of new inspiration.
In the new Japanese era of Reiwa, which was sublimely inaugurated on the first day of May this year, with noble aspirations to spread the message of beautiful harmony and peace to the world, I would like to commit afresh my resolution to further strengthen our excellent relationship that we enjoy today, and towards this end, I call upon all the members of the Society to join this virtuous endeavor, with renewed spirit, at this important juncture of the new beginning.
Distinguished members,
The year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan. With this milestone in sight, as well as mega sports events such as Rugby World Cup and Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games afoot, there are ample opportunities to generate fresh momentum to reach out to our goals. I believe today’s AGM has been instrumental in setting a new direction to guide us in the era of Reiwa, which contains the meaning of “culture coming into being and flourishing when people bring their hearts and minds together in a beautiful manner”.
On this note and my heartfelt appreciation for inviting myself and the Embassy officials to this pleasant and inspiring evening, I would like to close my remarks.
Thank you very much.