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Lanka – Japan Friendship Society new office bearers

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At a recent ceremony at the Sasakawa Hall, attended by the members of the Lanka Japan Friendship Society (LJFS), diplomats from the Japanese Embassy and members of the Japanese community in Sri Lanka, M.D (Tony) Saldin was formally elected as the19th President of the Society.

The induction ceremony was conducted by outgoing President Merrick Gooneratne in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi.

The following were elected to the EXCO for the year 2023/2024: Patron Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador for Japan, Vice Patrons: Merrick Gooneratne/Immediate past President, Sumana Liyanage, Deepal Gunaratne, Mikinaga Hotta, President: M.D. (Tony) Saldin, Vice Presidents: A. Anandagoda, Jayaraja Chandrasekera, Prof. Gaminda Haegoda, Neomal Perera, Sunitha Wijepala, General Secretary: Samadara Mampitiye, Asst Gen Secretary: Diloshini Nesakumar, General Treasurer: M. Thiyagaraja, Asst Gen Treasurer: R. Kadirgamar Rajah, Executive Committee: Nemantha Abeysinghe, Dhammika Attygale, Dr. Vijaya Corea, Dr. PHP de Silva, Mahendra de Vaz, DARM Nishanthi Galhena, W.I. Gunawardena, Jannath Ismail, Dr, Upali Jayawardena, Brigadier Samantha Jayasundara, Captain Ganesh Mendis,Sarojini Nagendran, Dr. Rohan Pallewatte, Shanil Perera, S.N. Raghavan, Shelly Thenuwara, Manoranjan Wijebahu, Himani Wijemanne.

The Lanka – Japan Friendship Society was formed in the wake of Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, when a few societies were coming up in order to build goodwill and friendship between countries which were well disposed towards Sri Lanka. The Ceylon–Japan Friendship Society as it was originally called, is believed to have been inaugurated around Feb 1966 when Japan was emerging as an industrial nation.

Sir Susantha de Fonseka who was Ceylon’s Ambassador in Japan promoted the idea of establishing this institution, which is now the oldest friendship society in Sri Lanka. Mr. Akira Matsui, the Japanese Ambassador was Sir Susantha’s counterpart in Sri Lanka.

Activities in the early days were confined to irregular meetings of fellowship held in the Embassy of Japan in Colombo. Sir Wilfred de Soysa, an outstanding philanthropist was designated the first President. Mr. Herbert Tennekoon and Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham followed and the focus of attention was the mutual friendship and co-operation among its members.

Eminent persons such as Messers Herbert Tennekoon, William Tennekoon, Sir Razik Fareed, Gamini Jayasuriya, Thomas Amarasuriya and Mr. C.X. Martyn involved themselves in matters concerning the society in the early days. Mr. M.D.H. Jayawardena, a Cabinet Minister was decorated with the Order of the Sacred Lotus by the Emperor of Japan, soon after he relinquished office as President of the society.

The Constitution of the Society was formulated by Mr. J.R. Jayewardene. Even after over 60 years the basic constitution was found to be adequate and remains more or less the same.

It was during the presidency of Mr. Ivor Paternott, that prime land down 22nd Lane, Kollupitiya was made available for the construction of the society’s permanent headquarters. This was possible through financial assistance provided by a Japanese millionaire and philanthropist Mr. Ryogi Sasakawa and the building was subsequently named after him.

EXCO and general meetings of the society are held in the numerous committee rooms and auditorium of the Sasakawa Cultural Centre.

(Excerpts from “The Lanka Japan Friendship Society – A historical note” by Fred Medis, Past President in 1960)



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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

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The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued  by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO]  to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of  Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya,  Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna,  Walapane,  Hanguranketha and  Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara  district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.

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IMF pledges additional aid to Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah destruction

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Julie Kozack, Director, IMF Communications Department

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

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Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir takes oath as SJB National List MP

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Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

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