Japan, Lanka celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations

Japan has established a Japanese Language Laboratory at the Department of Languages, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.

A spokesperson for the Japanese Embassy said that the project was meant to further enhance relations. The following is the text of the Japanese Embassy statement: “Vice Chancellor (Mrs.) G.A.S Ginigaddara, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Prof. D.T. Mendis, Head of the Department of Languages Ven. Prof. Olaganwatte Chandasiri Thera, among other high faculty members were present from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, while Counsellor Kawakami Takayuki, represented the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka on behalf of Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki.

The Japanese Language Laboratory was established with the support of the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects, through which a total sum of 12 million Rupees was provided. This project supports the students to learn Japanese language most effectively with the innovative method called “Active Learning” (group work on hexagon desk) with advanced features including computer-assisted teaching and web-based learning. The project also provides new textbooks published by Japan Foundation, as well as a full set of educational equipment and supplies, placing Rajarata University of Sri Lanka as a leading hub of Japanese Language Education in Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony was organised with special programmes, in the warm ambience of enthusiastic welcoming, including presentation on the future plan of Japanese language, singing performance by the students, and the book launch on the “Guide to Japanese Literature”.

Vice Chancellor Prof. G.A.S. Ginigaddara emphasised the historic significance of inaugurating the Japanese Language Laboratory on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and expressed her firm commitment to promote Japanese language education in Rajarata University of Sri Lanka while concurrently developing the specified skills of the students in order to cater to the local community.

Reciprocating best wishes, Kawakami Takayuki, on behalf of Ambassador MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, stated that “learning Japanese language shall provide greater access to the wealth of scholarships available in Japan, which has millennia-old history not unlike this great city of Anuradhapura, and the opening of this Japanese Language Laboratory shall stand as a landmark event, symbolising a vital seed for re-shaping our promising future, in ever-enlarging cycle of our time-tested friendship.”