Japanese Ambassador visited Nuwara Eliya
E. Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan visited the picturesque hill country city of Nuwara Eliya for the first time since assuming duties in Sri Lanka in June this year and paid a courtesy call on His Worship Mr.Mahinda Dodampegamage, Mayor of Nuwara Eliya on 11th November. Following up on the recent successful visit to Japan by Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ambassador Suganuma and His Worship Mr.Dodampegamage agreed to revive and further develop the Sister City relationship between the City of Nuwara Eliya and the City of Uji, Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. The two cities had entered into a Sister City relationship in 1986 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary of establishment of this relationship next year. Ambassador Suganuma and His Worship Mr. Dodampegamage also exchanged views on social and economic development in Nuwara Eliya.
After the meeting, Ambassador and Madame Suganuma visited the Victoria Park within the city and planted a Sakura tree in the Japanese Garden in the Park to symbolize the growing friendly relations between Japan and Sri Lanka. This tree is one of 300 saplings gifted to the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka by the Japan SAKURA Exchange Association in March, 2014.