On the occasion of Award Ceremony of Japanese Language Education Association

Mr. Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya, President of JLEA of Sri Lanka & Vice Patron of JASTECA
Distinguished Committee Members of JLEA
Respectful Teachers of JLEA
Dear Students,
 
こんにちは。
 
First of all, let me express my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for successfully completing the Japanese language course of JLEA for the term January to June 2019. I am indeed extremely honored to see so many young Sri Lankan friends studying my mother language so enthusiastically, taking natural interest in Japan, while selecting the most difficult but most enduring passage of learning about other country-that is mastering the language. Having said that, please allow me to use English in my speech today for the benefit of students who are still at the elementary level of Japanese learning to better understand my remarks.
 
This afternoon, I would like to talk about three topics that might enrich your interest for Japan and the history of our valuable friendship that exists between Sri Lanka and Japan over many decades.
 
The first one is a new Japanese word that has become so familiar and so essential in the lives of the Japanese people. Can you guess what that is? It is the name of new Japanese era called “Reiwa”. On May 1^st this year, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito acceded to the Throne as the 126^th Emperor of Japan and the new Japanese era began on the same day. Reiwa means “beautiful harmony” or “美しい調和” in Japanese, under spirit of which closer bond of friendship will also be pursued and built upon between Sri Lanka and Japan.
 
The second one is another Japanese word called “野球”. Do you know what that means? It means baseball which is the most popular sports in Japan. We are very happy to learn that Sri Lanka is now hosting the West Asia Baseball Cup 2019 which opened on 15^th of this month and closes on 20^th, coming Saturday. I know most of the Sri Lankan friends have spent exciting days and sleepless nights on the Cricket World Cup held in England over the last one and a half months, but take a moment to experience the great game of baseball which is now being taking place at Sri Lanka-Japan Friendship Ground in Diyagama. The final will be telecasted live from 2p.m on July 20^th on Sirasa TV. Needless to say, I am with the Sri Lankan team and keeping my fingers crossed that the team will move into the final and win the Cup.   
 
The third one is about a Sri Lankan hero who was an Olympic athlete known as “the number 67”. Have you ever heard the story of this great hero? His name is Ranatunge J.K. Karunananda, who had participated in the Tokyo Olympic Game in 1964 as a long-distance runner. He is not remembered because he won the race but because he won something more important and universal, that is the hearts of the people. In the 10,000 meter final, Mr. Karunananda was left alone in the track after all the other competitors crossed the finishing line. Two laps, or three laps, he kept running alone, his hand pressing the paining side, and the spectators, first derided his tardiness, gradually changed their tones, until it became the great thunder of encouragement and applause, which enveloped the stadium in one deep emotion. Once, his name was even inscribed in the 4^th grade Japanese textbook as the paragon of the Olympic spirit which reads: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” Next year, Tokyo will once again host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Everyone is a potential hero, and everyone is “next Karunananda”.     
 
As a token of today’s ceremony, I would be highly honored if you would share these stories with your families and friends, which would also serve you, as the first step, to become the bridge that connects the hearts and spirits between Sri Lanka and Japan.
 
Last but not least, I would like to express my most sincere appreciation to Dayasiri sensei for being such a robust bridge between our two countries for the past many years. We owe it deeply to the great dedication and contribution of a true friend like Dayasiri sensei that we see a large group of new young friends, like yourselves, have been budding ceaselessly in this beautiful island nation every year. I hope, one day among yourselves, that we will see someone like Dayasiri sensei whom we can always count on and trust.    
 
In conclusion, let me express my sincere appreciation for inviting me to this Award Ceremony and once again congratulate you on your completion of the Japanese Language Course, in Japanese language this time, wholeheartedly:
 
本日は無事コースを終了された皆さん、心よりおめでとうございます。
ご清聴、ありがとうございました。