Japan’s resiliency in overcoming post-war challenges a living example for SL: Mangala

Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Friday said that Japan’s resilience in overcoming post-war challenges was still a living example for Sri Lanka.

He made this remark at the opening of the ‘Japanese Film Festival 2017’ at the National Film Corporation.

“We Sri Lankans are trying to come to terms with our own past and to rebuild a prosperous nation by achieving rapid growth and lasting peace. I must say Japan stands a close friend in our difficult journey.

Japan’s resiliency in overcoming many post war challenges is still a living example for us in Sri Lanka at this crucial time of our own time of history,” said Samaraweera. Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma and National Film Corporation Chairman Sitendra Senaratne were also present at the ceremony.

Minister Samaraweera recalled the many ways Japan excelled as a country of technical and cultural innovation hand in hand with modernism. “After experiencing a devastating war seven decades ago, Japan demonstrated to the world how to rebuild and achieve lasting peace.”

“Japan is a unique country in Asia as well and in the entire world. Japan’s impressive technical advancement that was achieved after the Second World War did not seem anyway had a major impact on their strong culture. Despite great transitions, Japan retained its cultural uniqueness and heritage, [and] their way of [life] as well. We know Japan produces high quality technical equipment,” the Minister said.

He also pointed out that many talented artists emerge from Japan. There are well known Japanese writers, film directors, performing artists, musicians and painters. “We Sri Lankans should take a leaf out of Japan’s book of success – Japan’s artistic legacy and the example of striving to be the best in multiple disciplines,” Samaraweera added.

He recalled that Japan carries a history of over one hundred years of cinema culture. “I remember the names of few renowned masters – Akira Kurasowa, Yasujiro Ozu and lately Takeshi Kitano. I think their influence was immense in the world cinema. Their influence was immense on other Asian directors including our own masters such as Lester James Pieris.”

He said the Japanese Film Festival will facilitate strengthening the cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and Japan. “Our cinema industry is in great demand for such foreign affiliations,” the Minister added.