Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Tuesday, 14 June 2016 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
On 29 April, the Government of Japan announced the conferment of ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ upon Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (JASTECA) Vice Patron Gilbert Kulatilake, in recognition of his significant contribution in disseminating Japanese culture and promoting Japanese management systems in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Japan Kenichi Suganuma formally conferred the Order upon Kulatilake on behalf of the Emperor at a special ceremony held on 9 June at the Ambassador’s residence in Colombo.
Kulatilake has been rendering a great service in promoting bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka over the past 40 years. He started his close relationship with Japan by joining a six month training program in Japan organised by the Asia Bunka Kaikan Dousoukai (Asia cultural association) in 1970. In 1983, he became a member of Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS). Thereafter, Kulatilake together with late Ian Dias and Lal De Alwis, played a key role in establishing JASTECA in 1984 and served as the founder Treasurer of JASTECA for eight years.
Later on, he held the posts of General Secretary, Vice President and President of JASTECA. Kulatilake was instrumental in establishing two key institutions namely JASTECA Institute of Management (JIM) and Japanese Language Education Association of Sri Lanka (JLEA). Further he played a leading role in the formation of a new trust under the Asian Fight for Cancer Programme and establishing the Madam Ogawa Scholarship Fund. He served as the Chairman of the South Asian Federation of AOTS Alumni Societies (SAFAAS) in 2002/2004 and also chaired the 6th World Convention of AOTS.
He is currently the Vice Patron of JASTECA, the Chairman of the JASTECA Trust, the Treasurer of Sasakawa Memorial Sri Lanka Japan Cultural Centre, a Trustee of JIM, JLEA and Madam Ogawa Trust Scholarship Fund and the Treasurer of Sasakawa Memorial Sri Lanka Japan Cultural Centre.
Kulatilake had followed a six-month training in Industrial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at Hitachi Limited in Japan and also followed two special trainings for Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs organised by AOTS, Japan. He is a fellow of the Charted Institute of Management, UK since 2001. He is a well- known veteran businessman and currently manages Unitag Industries Ltd. and Universal Label Ltd. in Maharagama. Extending his service in social welfare, he serves as the Treasurer of the Cancer Charitable Foundation of National Cancer Institute.
