Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on an official visit to Japan, arrived at Kansai International Airport in Osaka yesterday morning (27th).
As his first engagement, President Dissanayake attended the Sri Lanka Day celebrations at the “EXPO 2025” exhibition in Osaka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.
The Sri Lanka Day celebrations, jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan, featured a range of cultural performances that highlighted Sri Lankan identity. The programme drew a large audience, including Japanese nationals and international visitors.
During the event, President Dissanayake also visited the Sri Lanka and Japan pavilions at the Expo.
In his address, the President emphasized that “EXPO 2025” provides Sri Lanka with a global platform to share its vision for a brighter future, built on culture, innovation and human values. He further underlined the long-standing friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka, noting that Japan has always been a close partner — offering support in difficult times and celebrating successes in prosperous times.
President Dissanayake’s speech highlighted Sri Lanka’s aspirations for sustainable economic transformation, a modern production-based economy, and the promotion of tourism, agriculture, technology, and marine resources. He stressed the importance of showcasing Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and globally renowned products such as Ceylon tea, spices, and gemstones at international platforms like “EXPO 2025.”
The President concluded by calling for global cooperation to create a world where opportunities are available to all and prosperity benefits every citizen.
Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, Japan’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Japan Professor Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, and senior officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the occasion.
