Sunil Wijesinha receives ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ from Japan

Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki, on Tuesday conferred ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ on Sunil Gamini Wijesinha, former President of Japan-Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association, JASTECA, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka, by disseminating the Japanese management styles in Sri Lanka.

Wijesinha has played a pivotal role in promoting Japanese management practices in Sri Lanka. His deep appreciation for Japanese technology and management techniques goes back to the experience as a trainee in Japan in 1980. As a long-committed member of JASTECA, he leveraged his engineering background to introduce and implement Japanese management methods, including “Quality Circles,” a system involving non-executive employees in enhancing quality and productivity; “5S” principle, which encompasses sorting, setting in order, shining, standardising, and sustaining to improve corporate management and customer satisfaction; and “Kaizen,” a practice of continuous improvement within organisations.

Ambassador Mizukoshi commended Wijesinha for not just introducing but also popularising and firmly establishing Japanese management techniques in Sri Lanka. He highlighted that this effort had not only played a significant role in advancing the country’s economic growth but had also resulted in an overall improvement in the well-being of its people. Furthermore, Ambassador Mizukoshi underscored that Wijesinha’s work had fostered a deeper appreciation and understanding of Japan in Sri Lanka.

‘The Order of the Rising Sun’ is awarded by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan to foreign nationals who have made distinguished contributions to enhancing friendly relations with Japan.

It is hoped that this auspicious event would further develop the bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.