JR’s Words Inspire Japan-Sri Lanka Talks

COLOMBO (News 1st); Quoting the timeless words of the Buddha, once echoed by former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene at the 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba hailed Sri Lanka’s role in shaping Japan’s post-war future.

He noted that Jayewardene’s call for compassion—“Hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love”—paved the way for Japan’s reintegration into the global community and laid the foundation for its prosperity today.

Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized that Japan and Sri Lanka, as long-standing friends and democracies in Asia, share fundamental values and a vision for mutual growth.

He expressed his commitment to deepening cooperation under the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” framework and further strengthening the Comprehensive Partnership between the two nations.

Responding to these remarks, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude for Japan’s warm welcome and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s pride in its historic stance at the Peace Conference. He stated that the meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister would serve as a platform to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, reinforcing the enduring friendship between the two countries.