June 14, Colombo (LNW): After a four-year hiatus, the ‘Sri Lanka Festival’ is set to return in grand style at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on June 15 and 16. Organized by the Sri Lanka–Japan Business Council, this annual event, which had been paused for various reasons, is the largest Sri Lankan gathering in Japan, attracting thousands of Sri Lankans and many Japanese visitors who are keen on experiencing Sri Lankan culture.
The festival will be held from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and will showcase traditional Sri Lankan dance and music, along with a variety of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. One of the highlights includes the opportunity to drink king coconut, specially imported from Sri Lanka, which is particularly popular among Japanese attendees.
Jagath Ramanayake, President of the Sri Lanka–Japan Business Council, emphasized the cultural diversity of the festival, which will feature performances by Sri Lankan children and young people living in Japan. The event is supported by several organizations, including the Sri Lankan Embassy in Japan, the Japan Automobile Importers’ Association, the Sri Lankan Scholars’ Association, the Sri Lanka Society in Japan, and the Sri Lankan Students’ Association.
Anil Priyantha Gamaethige, President of the Sri Lanka Society in Japan, highlighted that all food and drinks at the festival will be brought directly from Sri Lanka, ensuring an authentic culinary experience.
With nearly 400,000 Sri Lankans living in Japan and 12 Theravada Buddhist temples, the Sri Lanka Festival serves as a significant cultural bridge between the two nations, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of Sri Lankan heritage among both Sri Lankans and Japanese residents.
