Two highly acclaimed Lankans have been honoured with “The Order of the Rising Sun” were announced by the Government of Japan for their distinguished contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship, Japanese Embassy said.

It said: On 29th April 2023, the recipients of “The Order of the Rising Sun” were announced by the Government of Japan. For the Spring Conferment this year, two highly acclaimed individuals from Sri Lanka have been honoured with this esteemed decoration in recognition of their distinguished contributions to enhancing the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship. Their details are as follows: Sunil Gamini Wijesinha, the former President of the Japan Sri Lanka Technical & Cultural Association (JASTECA), promoted Japan’s organizational management system, namely “5S (system for organizing spaces so that the work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely)”, “Quality Circles (a system of involving non-executive employees in carrying out quality and productivity improvement projects)”, Total Quality management method, and Kaizen (a concept of improving the organizational activities) in Sri Lanka through the establishment of JASTECA as one of the founding members. He also created an award to recognize the contribution of Sri Lankan companies that introduce the 5S system. In addition, he has contributed to disseminate the benefits of the Japanese management systems by organizing various international conferences on Japanese style management, and 5S in Sri Lanka, by publishing articles in the newspapers and magazines, being an invited speaker, and lecturing about it abroad.

He was also commissioned to teach the Japanese management system as an adviser to the Government of Sri Lanka and supported both Sri Lankan and Japanese companies who are interested in investing in Sri Lanka. Through long-standing and various activities, Mr. Wijesinha has contributed to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka.

Professor Upul Bandara Dissanayake, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and Chairman of the Board of University Administration, has contributed to promoting academic partnerships between Japan and Sri Lanka in the field of dental sciences as a leading professor in the field as well as the dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, and in broader fields during his tenure as Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya.

One of Professor Dissanayake’s notable achievements was spearheading the JICA project “Dental Education and Oral Health Promotion of the Faculty of Dental Sciences,” which resulted in the construction of modern clinical and research facilities equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. These facilities served as a springboard for Professor Dissanayake to exponentially expand academic exchanges with Japanese counterparts at various universities with dental sciences departments in Japan. Additionally, the University of Peradeniya under Professor Dissanayake’s leadership hosted JICA’s third country training programs, providing high-quality training to dental sciences scholars and specialists from neighboring countries.

Even after assuming responsibilities in the University management as a member of the Board of University Administration, and later as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and the Chairman of the Board of University Administration, Professor Dissanayake’s commitment to promoting the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship has only strengthened. He has orchestrated numerous signature programs including the Japan-Sri Lanka Collaborative Research Conferences and various joint research initiatives and partnership MOUs. These initiatives covered areas well beyond dental sciences such as agriculture, engineering and environmental studies.

Professor Dissanayake’s academic excellence, unwavering dedication to connecting academia in Japan and Sri Lanka, and his keen interest in understanding Japan have always been and will continue to be a beacon of academic collaboration between our two countries.

The Embassy of Japan expressed its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Wijesinha and Professor Dissanayake on the decoration of the Orders, with sincere appreciation for their remarkable dedication to the cause of promoting friendly relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.