The Government of Japan Announces the Conferment of “The Order of the Rising Sun” upon two renowned Sri Lankan Nationals
2022/5/2
On 29th April 2022, the recipients of “The Order of the Rising Sun” were announced by the Government of Japan. For the Spring Conferment this year, two respectable figures, as undermentioned, from Sri Lanka were honoured with this esteemed award in recognition of their distinguished contribution to promoting academic exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Deshamanya Prof. Weligamage Don Lakshman
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
Mrs. Kalyani Siriseeli Lakshman
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
Deshamanya Prof. Weligamage Don Lakshman, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, promoted Japanese studies program in Sri Lanka and enhanced educational and academic interactions by teaching and undertaking joint research as a visiting scholar at several Japanese universities and research institutes. He has established the Master’s Course in Japanese Studies in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo in 1987, the first regional-study program in Sri Lanka. The volume which he edited, and published by the University of Colombo on the 50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka - Japan relationships remains a valuable source book on the subject. Prof. Lakshman also promoted cooperaton with several Japanese universities as the chairman of advisory board of Lanka Nippon Biztech Institute and also contributed to a number of joint activities in Sri Lanka, undertaken by Ryukoku University and Saga University and International University in Japan.
Mrs. Kalyani Siriseeli Lakshman, having gained proficiency in Japanese language after a stay in Japan with her husband, Deshamanya Prof. W.D. Lakshman, pioneered in introducing Japanese language teaching as a subject in High school curriculum in 1983 in Sri Lanka, including at Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Lindsay Girls’ Highs School and Yosodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya, as well as conducting Japanese teaching programme organized by the Rupavahini Corporation. Mrs. Lakshman, who is well-versed in Japanese culture, introduced Karate classes, 5s system, and “Japanese Day” in Devi Balika Vidyalaya when she was the principal of the school. Through her profound respect and affection for Japan, Mrs. Lakshman has enthusiastically promoted mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka.
The Embassy of Japan expressed its heartfelt congratulations to Deshamanya Prof. W. D. Lakshman and Mrs. Kalyani Siriseeli Lakshman on their remarkable achievements, which stands as an icon of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, as two countries celebrate this year jointly.
The Order of the Rising Sun is awarded by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan to foreign nationals who have made distinguished contribution to enhancing friendly relations with Japan.