• Ambassador Mizukoshi also renewed his commitment to “further strengthen bonds of friendship, while expediting people-to-people exchange, to explore our greater potentials that remain unleashed

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, referring to a New Year’s Day message by the Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, said  “Japan will always remember that the former President J.R. Jayewardene kindly offered support for Japan’s post-war return to the international community, and that Sri Lanka extended warm assistance to Japan in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.”   

Ambassador Mizukoshi also renewed his commitment to “further strengthen bonds of friendship, while expediting people-to-people exchange, to explore our greater potentials that remain unleashed.”  In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Japan, the Foreign Ministry and Embassy of Japan jointly organised a press conference at Sasakawa Centre on January 19, 2022.   
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki, as well as other senior Government officials participated in the press conference, including Mr. Mohan Samaranayake, Director-General of the Department of Government Information, Mr. Sonal Gunawardana, Chairman, Rupavahini Corporation, Mr. Damitha Wickramasinghe, Director General, National Youth Services Council, and Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, Chairman, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital. 

Four (04) regional programmes in Hambantota, Kegalle, Jaffna and Batticaloa will be organized, and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the National Youth Services Council will organise islandwide Essay, painting and short video competitions for school students.