News
Japan honours Janak Bandaranayake
The government of Japan yesterday (4) announced the conferment of “The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays” upon Janak Jeevantha Bandaranayake on 3 November 2020 for his contributions to promoting cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Bandaranayake worked at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka over a span of three decades and contributed to deepening cultural ties between Japan and Sri Lanka.
He was also instrumental in inaugurating Sri Lanka’s national television network, Rupavahini through a Japanese grant aid in the early 1980s, which telecasted a globally renowned Japanese TV drama “Oshin” in 1998.
Bandaranayake’s fruits of labour particularly culminated in the successful celebrations of the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of Japan-Sri Lanka Diplomatic Relations where he dedicated whole-heartedly to mark the milestones with various cultural events.
His efforts to strengthen and further cement Japan-Sri Lanka relations began prior to his appointment at the Embassy where Mr. Bandaranayake served as a chief interpreter for the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the Tsukuba Expo held in Japan in 1985 and as a main organizer of cultural events for youth from various countries arriving in Sri Lanka onboard “Nippon Maru” as part of “Ship for World Youth” organized by the Government of Japan.
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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