Japan pledges support to tea, tourism

 Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama (right) with Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana

• Envoy in meeting with Plantation Minister offers to promote Ceylon Tea and revival of tourism
• Dr. Pathirana expresses Govt.’s appreciation of Japan’s assistance with vaccines to overcome COVID
• Commends valuable service of Ambassador Sugiyama towards enriching bilateral relations
• Duo discuss fresh measures to boost bilateral economic ties

Japan this week expressed willingness to promote Sri Lanka’s 150-year-old global brand Ceylon Tea, as well as help the revival of tourism post-COVID.

This was conveyed when Japanese Ambassador Akira Sugiyama called on Plantation Industries Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. Sugiyama said that Japan would extend all possible assistance to boost and promote the Ceylon Tea brand, noting that the brand was quite admired by the Japanese people. 

The Ambassador also extended support to revive the COVID-hit tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

Sugiyama fondly recalled the tourist attractions he visited in Sri Lanka, while extending an invitation to the Minister to visit Japan. 

Reiterating the long friendship of the two countries, Dr. Pathirana appreciated the Japan Government for extending its assistance, particularly during the outbreak of COVID-19 third wave in Sri Lanka by providing the AstraZeneca vaccines to successfully mitigate the situation.

He also acknowledged the valuable contribution made by Ambassador Sugiyama during his tenure in strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.

The Minister also updated the Japanese Ambassador on the adverse economic impact of the pandemic on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. However, he said that the agriculture export sectors such as tea, rubber, coconut and cinnamon saw progress amidst the challenges. 

They discussed at length how Sri Lanka could further expand its export market, particularly in Japan. 

Dr. Pathirana also inquired from the Ambassador on the possibilities of finding employment for Sri Lankan youth who are fluent in the Japanese language.