New Japanese Envoy to Sri Lanka, Isomata Aiko, calls on Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera

Newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Isomata Aiko, called on the Chief Prelate of Japan’s first Theravada Buddhist temple Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera at Maligakanda Agrashrawaka Maha Viharaya yesterday.

The Ambassador recalled the long-standing friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka and extended an invitation to Sri Lanka’s youth to take advantage of the high-quality Educational and Employment opportunities in Japan, emphasising Japan’s continuous support for Sri Lanka’s Development efforts.

The Japanese Ambassador also highlighted the enduring Religious, Cultural and Economic ties between Japan and Sri Lanka.

The Ambassador also visited the historic site where Princess Mikasa of Japan laid the foundation stone for the Maligakanda Agrashrawaka Maha Bodhi Vihara in 1956. Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera shared rare photographs and the history of the foundation stone now located at Ananda Balika Vidyalaya.

Furthermore, a collection of Japanese books translated into Sinhala and Sinhala books translated into Japanese were presented to the Ambassador. These included the biography of Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera, “Anjalikaraneeyo,” authored by India’s Shakil Siddiqui and translated by Ven. Talangalle Somasiri, a resident monk in Japan.

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