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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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Strengthen friendship with Japan - Dinesh by Ananda Kannangara The long-standing friendship between the people of Sri Lanka and Japan will further strengthen with their existing cultural and religious relationship, Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Guunawardana said. He was addressing a ceremony held at hotel Taj Samudra in connection with the opening of a photographic exhibition of Buddhist temples in Japan, conducted by the Sri Lanka - Japan Buddhist Cultural Council (SLJBCC). The petals of lotus buds were opened by the guests as a symbolic gesture at the opening ceremony. Minister Gunawardana said that conducting photographic exhibitions of Japanese Buddhist temples in our country would help to intensify co-operation between the two nations. "Even the late Anagarika Dharmapala, who made an invaluable contribution towards the propagation of Buddhism in our country, cherished the close link between the people of the two countries, because the teachings of Lord Buddha had made a great impact on religious and cultural values," he said. Apart from that, Japan had not only helped our country to develop information technology to a great extent but also provided us with television technology. Minister Gunawardana also recalled that Japanese had a great respect for our country, especially after the great speech made by former President J. R. Jayewardene on behalf of the Japanese Government at the historic San Francisco conference. SLJBCC, Secretary-General, Dr. Bertie Pieris, said that the organisation, during the past ten years, had conducted Buddhist lectures and discussions and also invited several Buddhist delegations from Japan to foster the close friendly ties between the two nations. "Our next aim is to organise a photographic exhibition of ancient Buddhists temples in Sri Lanka in Tokyo and also gift a sacred bo-sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhiya by courtesy of the SLJBCC" he added. Cultural Secretary of the Japanese Embassy Shuzo Moriyama also spoke. |
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