Japan, a friend in need- Prime Minister

Japan has always been a genuine friend of Sri Lanka when certain Western countrys were trying to deceive the international community regarding the situation in Sri Lanka, Japan stood firmly behind Sri Lanka and assisted in its efforts to defeat terrorism, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka.

The Prime Minister said this at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister's Office to felicitate Most Ven. Chojun Othani Thera, Viharadhipati of the Honganji Viharaya in Japan in honour of the services rendered by him during the tsunami catastrophe.

Wickramanayaka who stressed the importance of foreign assistance towards Sri Lanka's national rebuilding effort said the country lost many things due to the tsunami of which it had no previous experience.

However, Sri Lanka was able to restore almost everything lost within a short period except the lost lives due to the support received from foreign friends.

The assistance received from the Government and people of Japan in this endeavour was colossal. The Buddha statue on the Bamian style built at Pereliya in memory of the tsunami under a program sponsored by Most Ven. Othani Thera was a great blessing and a source of strength for Sri Lanka and its people. The Prime Minister said as much Sri Lanka overcame the tsunami challenge it had now overcome the terrorist challenge too.

Most Ven. Chojun Othani Thera said people in Japan who were grieved to hear about the tsunami tragedy in Sri Lanka always wanted to help the country to overcome the challenge and rebuild the devastated areas.

He would always wish Sri Lanka future peace and prosperity. Ven. Banagala Upatissa Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Japan, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana and Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwer were also present on the occasion.