A special meeting and a dinner was organized by SLBCJ on 15th February to welcome and discuss Sri Lankan- Japan trade relations with the minister of plantations Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe of Sri Lankan government. The occasion took place at a tranquil and natural environment of “Enju” in “Happoen” restaurant.
Hon. Minister had a delegation of officials from the Sri Lankan government accompanying him and the SLBCJ was represented by the president and the key executive committee members. Officials from the Sri Lankan embassy lead by the ambassador Mr. Esala Weerakon were also present. In his welcome speech Mr. Jagath Ramanayake , president of SLBCJ cordially welcomes the delegation of high ranking officials from Sri Lanka and expressed his thoughts on the Sri Lanka Japan trade relations improvement activities of SLBCJ specially in the future prospects of improving business avenues in plantations sector. Mr. Esala Weerakoon explained about the embassy activities in promoting trade in Japan and possibilities of improvements in future. He welcomed Sri Lankan policy makers’ attention towards improving Sri Lanka – Japan business relations. Finally Hon. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe invited all the participants to a discussion in the form of a Q&A session. The discussion went on about the details of plantation sector improvement in Sri Lanka and how Japan and the Sri Lankan businesses in Japan could collaborate in these initiatives.
At this meeting the SLBCJ president and other members requested the minister to reestablish the Tea board in the Tokyo Embassy. Also Mr. Chandika explained about the opportunities and the benefits earned by the tea exporting companies in Sri Lanka & Japanese tea importers.
