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| Sunday, 28 April 2002 |
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Japanese aid laudable Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his message to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan, which falls today April 28, has said that being a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka, Japan has been instrumental in the development and improvement of our socio-economic environment through its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programmes and active participation in the areas of bilateral trade and investment. The message states: "Although diplomatic relations were established in April 1952, Sri Lanka and Japan have nurtured a long standing relationship, dating back to many centuries. According to historical records, Japanese Mahayana Buddhist scholar Amoga Vajira visited Sri Lanka and studied in a monastery in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura as far back as 7th Century AD. "I recall the impassioned plea made in the speech of the late Sri Lanka President Mr. J. R. Jayewardene at the St. Francisco Peace Conference speaking in favour of admitting Japan into the Committee of Nations quoting the words of the Lord Buddha "Hatred ceases not by hatred but by love." He appealed to those present to accept Japan into the World Community as an equal nation. The goodwill that was generated in the aftermath of the Conference laid the foundation for the expeditious establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries and paved the way for a warm and sincere friendship that we share today. "The establishment of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Television Station, Sri Jayawardenapura General Hospital with 1001 beds, development of the port of Colombo, Samanalawewa Hydropower plant, Construction, Equipment Training Center at Sri Jayawardenapura and the Mahaweli Road bridge stand as monuments to the everlasting friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan. "I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for all the assistance, both economic and social, rendered to Sri Lanka over the years. It is my firm belief that the close and cordial relations that exist between the two countries will continue to develop and flourish in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of the people of Sri Lanka and Japan." Friendly ties strengthened The Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi has assured that Japan would make its utmost efforts to support Sri Lanka for the restoration of peace, her development and enhancement of her people's welfare. This was stated in his message to mark the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka-Japan diplomatic relations. The message states: "Japan and Sri Lanka have promoted mutual exchanges and maintained friendly relations from old times. In modern days, Japan started exchanges with Western countries, and many Japanese voyagers called on the port of Colombo enroute to Europe, by which Japanese people became familiar with Sri Lanka. It is my great pleasure that, since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between our two countries in 1952, our friendly and co-operative ties have been strengthened by the efforts of the people of both countries. "I am also greatly encouraged by the progress taking place in Sri Lanka's peace process towards a political resolution of the long-standing ethnic conflict. I sincerely hope that a lasting peace will be achieved with broad consensus of the people of Sri Lanka as early as possible." |
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