On the occasion of the National Day Reception

Honourable Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of Parliament,
Honourable Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Information and Mass Media and Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation,
Honourable Cabinet Ministers,
Secretaries and High Officials of the Government of Sri Lanka,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Good evening, Ayubowan, Wanakkam and こんばんは。
 
It is my great honour and privilege to celebrate with you the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor this evening. I would like to begin by extending my warmest greetings to the Government and the People of Sri Lanka as well as to the Japanese compatriots in Sri Lanka on this special occasion. I would also like to cordially welcome all the distinguished guests for joining this auspicious ceremony, while offering my sincere appreciation to the Honourable Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Information and Mass Media and Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, for gracing this evening as the chief guest.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Each year, the Japanese national day is celebrated on the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. Following the accession of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito to the Throne as the 126^th Emperor of Japan on May 1^st, 2019, His Majesty’s birthday, February 23^rd, has been designated as the national day of Japan. Celebrating this first national day under the reign of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito with the dignitaries present here today adds special joy and honour as ambassador assigned to this beautiful island nation, and taking this opportunity, I would like to offer, with the blessing of the distinguished guests, sincere prayer for good health and happiness of His Majesty as well as prosperous and ever-lasting friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka.
  
Upon the accession of His Majesty the Emperor commenced the new Japanese era of “Reiwa - meaning “beautiful harmony”- adapted from the 8^th century poetry anthology of Manyoshu. Japan-Sri Lanka relations shall also be guided by this noble aspiration of the new era, shining like a loadstar in our long passage ahead.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
The enduring bond of friendship that Japan enjoys with Sri Lanka today has chiefly been cultivated through the people-to-people interactions at all levels. H.E. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Foreign Minister of Japan’s visit to Sri Lanka shortly after the inauguration of H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November 2019 symbolizes such active interaction. Through this visit, Japan expressed its commitment and firm resolve to elevate the long-time cordial relationship between our two countries to greater heights and to work together with Sri Lanka in realizing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific for the peace and prosperity of this region.
 
Last August, the Government of Sri Lanka conferred “Sri Lanka Rathna”, the highest national honour of Sri Lanka for foreign nationals, on Mr. AKASHI Yasushi, Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, for his exceptional service to facilitating national reconciliation in Sri Lanka. This prestigious honour clearly showcases Japan’s long and trusted relationship with Sri Lanka upon which our elevated relationship will be founded and consolidated.
 
The rich cultural heritages in Sri Lanka also continue to capture the hearts of the Japanese people, and despite the setback caused by the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, the number of tourists from Japan is picking up resiliently with greater potential in sight. The population of Karate players in Sri Lanka, with no less than half a million, is likewise encouraging, making Karate the most popular sport in the island only exceeded by cricket. Mutual attraction to respective culture and heritages is the fountainhead of strengthening the bond of friendship, and I am determined to further bolster our relationship in this field of heart-to-heart communications.            
   
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
This year marks the 70^th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Foreign Minister’s Conference which was convened in Colombo in 1950. Through holding this conference, Sri Lanka played a leading role in bringing forth the “Colombo Plan” which spearheaded shaping the framework for development cooperation. Japan became its member in 1954, and commenced its ODA programmes to Sri Lanka with the provision of technical assistance in the following year of 1955.  
 
Ever since then, as a major development partner, Japan has been committing herself to the economic growth and the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka. Japan has been contributing to capacity building in this country through  various training programmes, which rightly matches the vision of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the importance of human resource development.  Japan has also been cooperating with the Government of Sri Lanka for the improvement of its physical infrastructure, such as ports, airports, roads and highways, water and sanitation, as well as energy, based on the principle of the “quality infrastructure”. Last year’s achievements in this area include the launch of the Colombo Light Rail Transit project and the conclusion of the memorandum of cooperation on the development of the Eastern Container Terminal of the Colombo South Port. Under the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, Japan will continue to develop “quality infrastructure” based on the international standard, through which the regional connectivity as well as the investment climate will be enhanced to expedite Sri Lanka’s untapped developmental potential.
 
Japan's assistance has been extended not only through the government, but also through a wide range of community-based organizations that are working at the grass-roots level to directly reach out to the local people in need. Such activities carried out last year include demining in the conflict-affected areas of the Northern Province and improving the educational infrastructure for children with special care.
 
I am pleased to note that our business and economic relations have continued to be on the rise. Last year, Japanese companies started new business, including in the logistics and financial service areas, in addition to the emerging trend among Japanese companies to invest in the hotel business in Sri Lanka, which are currently being built or planned in Colombo, Ahungalla, and Mirissa, in view of the growing potential in the tourism sector. Last year JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) organized “the Sri Lanka Investment Seminar” in Tokyo where more than 200 companies participated.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It is in the common interest for both Japan and Sri Lanka, whose national welfare stems from the blessings of the oceans, to promote freedom of navigation and the rule-based maritime order for the affluence and prosperity of the nation. Located at the pivot of the east-west sea lanes, Sri Lanka has been playing a key role in maintaining the maritime security and safety of the Indian Ocean. Japan has been strengthening its cooperation with Sri Lanka’s Coast Guard by providing training courses on oil spills incident and search and rescue. In addition, the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force and the Sri Lankan Navy have strengthened mutual interactions through regular port calls by Japanese ships. Under the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, Japan will continue to actively cooperate with Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Japan will host the Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic Games this summer, in which top athletes from all over the world will compete for the medals with the national pride at stake. But the true essence of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is something else - which was exemplified by a legendary Sri Lankan athlete Ranatunge J.K. Karunananda at the 10,000m final in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. He was the last runner to finish the race, left alone in the track while running the final two laps with what remained of his unyielding spirit. The curious spectators first derided this lonely runner, but gradually changed their tone until it became the thunder of encouragement and applause which enveloped the stadium. The demonstration of such true sportsmanship moved the hearts of many, while embodying the ideal of the Olympic Games 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.” To remember Karunananda’s great spirit, his story is being featured in the Japanese school textbook even today.    
 
The national stadium newly constructed to host the Tokyo Olympic Paralympic Games has a close link with Sri Lanka as well. The chief architect of the stadium, Mr. KUMA Kengo, is inspired by Mr. Geoffrey Bawa and amply reflected Mr. Bawa’s architectural essence, such as lush vegetation and natural ventilation, when designing the national stadium.
 
The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are “global festivals of peace”, and through this golden opportunity, Japan will promote exchanges between participating countries/regions and local communities and residents. Three cities, Sanmu, Hashima, and Maebashi, will be the “host towns” for Sri Lankan Olympians and are getting ready to take lead in mutual exchanges between the two countries. The brochures of one of the host towns, Hashima city, are available at the entrance hall for the interested guests.          
        
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Before concluding, I would like to recite a verse from an ancient poetry of plum blossoms from which the new era name “Reiwa” was inspired and given:
 
“In the auspicious month of early spring,
the weather is fine and the wind gentle.
The plum blossoms open like powder before a mirror
while the orchids give off the sweet scent of a sachet”.
 
In Japan, the season of plum blossoms will soon begin, announcing the arrival of spring after the harsh cold winter, which brings hope for tomorrow. 
Keeping in mind this renewed hope and the prayer for the peace of the world that His Majesty the Emperor expressed on the occasion of the First Audience after the Accession to the Throne, I would solemnly resolve to make every endeavor towards further promoting the friendly relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.
 
 
Now, I would like to invite you to raise your glasses;
 

• To congratulate His Majesty the Emperor on the 60^th Birthday,
• To wish Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress continued good health and prosperity,
• To wish H.E. the President Gotabaya Rajapakse and the People of Sri Lanka happiness and peace,
• To wish for the furtherance of Japan- Sri Lanka friendly relations in the new era,
• And wish all the best for all present here,
• “Kanpai!”