Japan bestows ‘The Order of the Rising Sun’ award to Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge and Manoj Fernando

The Government of Japan has made public the recipients of ‘The Order of the Rising Sun’, conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on foreign nationals who have made distinguished contributions to enhancing friendly relations with

Prof.Sampath Amaratunge

Manoj Fernando

Japan.

The Spring Conferment this year honours two Sri Lankan nationals with this prestigious award: University Grants Commission Chairman Snr. Prof. Sampath Amaratunge with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon and Sri Lanka Baseball/Softball Association (SLBSA) Executive Vice President Manoj Fernando with The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.  

Snr. Prof. Amaratunge’s commitment, persistence and dedication over the decades of association with Japan have promoted academic exchanges between the two countries to a new height.  Having completed his higher education in Japan and proficient in Japanese, Snr. Prof. Amaratunge, during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, founded the Faculty of Technology, which, through close collaborations with numerous universities in Japan, have contributed to advancing technological and scientific studies at the University. The partnership with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science in Japan have also promoted the university’s technical competencies in the relevant areas. 

Apart from the above, Snr. Prof. Amaratunge established Sri Lanka’s first City University modelled on the Japanese higher education system in order to expand access to higher education for aspirant students.  In addition, as a member of the Bunka Awards Committee, Snr. Professor Amaratunge contributed to preserving and further promoting cultural activities in Sri Lanka, thus strengthening friendly ties between Japan and Sri Lanka.

Manoj Fernando made invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka through promoting baseball in Sri Lanka, which was successively supported by Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs). A reputed baseball player himself, Mr. Fernando, over the past three-and-a-half decades, has dedicated himself to developing the skills and techniques of coaches and players in various capacities of the SLBSA, while endeavouring to make baseball a popular sport in Sri Lanka. Mr. Fernando’s relentless efforts have shaped the national team to excel in the international stage, which earned two consecutive victories in the West Asia Baseball Cup, including the one held in Sri Lanka in July 2019.

The Embassy of Japan extended their heartfelt congratulations to Snr. Prof. Amaratunge and Mr. Fernando on the decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun, with sincere appreciation for their dedication to the cause of promoting friendly relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.