Sigiriya Museum - A gift from Japan

Colombo, 29 July, (Asiantribune.com): As a nation we believe in providing our people the opportunity to view all things of historical value. Therefore the donation of this museum from Japan to the people of Sri Lanka is a gift to our tradition of protecting and viewing the treasures of history, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the opening ceremony of newly constructed Sigiriya Museum, today, July 28.
Since independence Japan has contributed much to help us rise as a free nation. They have helped us to protect our sovereignty. The Japanese are a courageous nation. We have a strong friendship with them as Asians.

Japan is also assisting us in carrying out the major development work in the North, after the defeat of terrorism, the President said.

President Rajapaksa thanked the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Yasuo Fukuda for his presence this occasion and for the Japan’s gesture of friendship in funding of the Sigiriya Museum which will preserve for our people and to foreign visitors the treasures of this historic site, which is also one of several World’s Heritage sites in Sri Lanka.

 In the meantime, on the occasion of the opening of the Sigiriya Museum in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and  Yasuo Fukuda, Former Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the Sri Lanka – Japan Friendship Association, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing said  that “this noble gift of the Sigiriya Museum which was funded by the Government of Japan will remain as a special symbol of the cultural relations we have so happily enjoyed for centuries and the people of Sri Lanka will appreciate this gesture by the Government of Japan with a deep sense of gratitude.”

 He also stated that it was a  “This noble gift of the Sigiriya Museum which was funded by the Government of Japan will remain as a special symbol of the cultural relations we have so happily enjoyed for centuries and the people of Sri Lanka will appreciate this gesture by the Government of Japan with a deep sense of gratitude.

 This was a collaborative effort between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of National Heritage and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau of the Ministry of Tourism.

 The Museum opened today in Sigiriya has been declared the most attractive in the South Asian region by JICA and it features two main artefacts of an archeological value.  They are the furnace used to melt iron during the Anuradhapura era and a valuable earring found in Sigiriya.  Rare artefacts found in Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are also preserved in the museum.  The Museum will be a repository of all that our nation stands for namely excellence in literature, architecture, sculpture and painting.  It also signifies our unfailing dedication to the highest spiritual and moral values.

 -    Asian Tribune -