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Japan-Lanka Friendship Assn Repeats Its Goodwill Gestures for Army

Further cementing long-lasting bonds of goodwill and bilateral cooperation, the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Association (JSLFA) once again donated two more ambulances and a fire engine for Army use Monday (25) morning during a brief ceremony at Army Headquarters.  

A 36-member Japanese delegation, comprised of members of the Nakatsugawa Rotary Club and the JSLFA, now in Sri Lanka on a week-long tour, visited the Army Headquarters to represent the donation ceremony this morning.

The day’s itinerary at Army Headquarters commenced after the delegation, headed by the City Mayor, three Council Members and Deshabandu Dr Lal Thilakaratne, Chairman, JSLFA and the Chief Guest, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, arrived at the venue.

Heralding the day’s event, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army and representatives of the Japanese delegation, hoisted both national flags of Sri Lanka and Japan and the Army, as melodies of Sri Lankan and Japanese National anthems were rending the air.

It was followed by the formal welcome speech, delivered by Major General Kumar Herath, Adjutant General on behalf of the Army and welcoming them in Sri Lanka. He was also full of praise to the donors for their continued support to the Army in the past several years.

Brief speeches made by two members of the Japanese delegation and another one by Dr Lal Thilakaratne, the live-wire behind such regular Japanese donations to the Army for the last few years, explained as to why all of them thought it fit to make this donation once again to the Army, considering the gamut of responsibilities, being executed for development of Sri Lanka in the post-war scenario.         

After Ven Polthumbe Buddhagosha Thera delivered a brief Anushasanaa (oration), highlighting the importance of this gesture by the Japanese, the stage was set for the formal acceptance of the donation by the Chief Guest.

The Japanese representatives and Dr Lal Thilakaratne afterwards jointly delivered symbolic key replicas of the vehicles to the Chief Guest Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on the occasion as the house roared out their happiness.

Towards the last leg of the ceremony, the Commander of the Army, appreciative of the gesture, presented goodwill plaques to the chief organizers of the project. The visiting delegation reciprocated the move.

The Japanese delegation during their stay in Sri Lanka is expected to visit Kelaniya temple, Sigiriya, Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and a few other places of cultural and religious importance.