OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SRI LANKA-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP

 

  1. Worked as one of the main actors of the Sister City Programme between Uji City in Kyoto, Japan, and Nuwara Eliya City in Sri Lanka, 1986
  2. Member of the following joint research works granted by the Ministry of Higher Education in Japan:
  • Problem of Illegal Foreign Workers in Japan, Ryukoku University, Kyoto, 1990-1992
  • Pattern on Economic Development and Japanese Co-operation in Southeast Asia, Hiroshima University of Economics, Hiroshima, 1991-1993
  • The Economic Role of Japan and China in East Asia, Faculty of Economics, Saga University, 1992-1994
  • Participatory Rural Development through Mobilization of Local Resources in Sri Lanka, JICA Project, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1999-2001
  • Role of ODA in Alleviation of Rural Poverty in Asia, Faculty of Economics, Saga University, 1998-2001
  1. Asian Rice-Planting Song Festival, 1990, Nishi Arita, Saga, Japan: Work with the Nishi Arita community to invite Asian people, including Sri Lankans to Saga, Japan to sing their own countries’ rice-planting songs with Japanese people.
  2. One of the construction company officials in the Saga prefecture, Mr. Maeyama Hiroshi constructed a Dormitory for International Students at Saga University after my request. It is named 「Ratnayake Hall」, 2002
  3. Initiator of the Agreement on Academic Cooperation and Exchange (MOU) between Saga University, Japan, and the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2004, (Under this MOU, Saga University has already accepted more than 100 students from the University of Peradeniya for postgraduate studies under the Japanese Government Scholarship (MEXT). Saga University has also invited many staff members and several vice chancellors for short-term joint-research programs since 2004. At the same time, Saga University also sent a large number of Japanese students for long-term and short-term study programs at the University of Peradeniya. Even today, 12 students from Peradeniya are conducting their postgraduate studies under MEXT).
  4. Founder of the 「Sri Lanka-Japan Study Center」 at the University of Peradeniya, 2013.
  5. Sign an agreement with the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2015 to become a new member university of the Asia Symposium. (This symposium commenced in 1990 with the collaboration of China and Korea as 「Nikkanchu Kokusai symposium: 日韓中国際シンポジュウム」.
  6. Yamazaki Naoko and I established a scholarship foundation named, Yamazaki Kyomi Scholarship Foundation in 2002 to help Sri Lankan children, particularly in the remote areas of Sri Lanka. Under this programme, we have given a large number of scholarships to high school students at Ambalantota Maha Vidyalaya and Dutugamunu Maha Vidyalaya in Sri Lanka until 2015 (See http://ratnayake.eco.saga-u.ac.jp/).
  7. Construction of the Two-story Modern Library (Saga-Lanka Yuko Toshokan: 佐賀・ランカ友好図書館) with all facilities at Ambalantota High School in southern Sri Lanka with the help of Japanese people and Sri Lankan students in Saga Prefecture in 2006 (See http://ratnayake.eco.saga-u.ac.jp/).
  8. Construction of the Saga-Lanka Fureai Auditorium （佐賀・ランカふれあい講堂）at Ambalantota High School in southern Sri Lanka with the help of the Saga-Lanka Friendship Association in Japan in 2010 (Seehttp://ratnayake.eco.saga-u.ac.jp/)
  9. Donation of schoolbooks and library equipment worth the sum of Rs. 600,000.00 to Yudaganawa Primary School and Dutugamunu Maha Vidyalaya,　Buttala, Sri Lanka, 2022
  10. Donation of schoolbooks worth the sum of Rs. 250,000.00 to Yudaganawa Primary School, Buttala, Sri Lanka, 2023
  11. Donation of schoolbooks worth the sum of Rs. 200,000.00 to Saga-Lanka Friendship Library, Ambalantota Maha Vidyalaya, Sri Lanka, 2024
  • Newspaper Articles Related to the Promotion of Sri Lanka-Japan Relationship through
  1. Culture Shock, Toshoku News, No. 281, March 1, 1985 (Japanese)
  2. Meeting with Ikemoto Mayor in Kyoto, Rakunan Time, December 12, 1986, (Japanese)
  3. What Economic Development Bring, Ryukoku Newspaper, January 12, 1987, (Japanese)
  4. Four Foreign Teachers Appointed to Saga University, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, April 24, 1989, (Japanese)
  5. Me and this Town: Hello from Countries Around the World, Asahi Newspaper, October 12, 1989, (Japanese)
  6. An International Exchange Programme that Expands the Circle of Friendship, Saga Newspaper, October 26, 1989, (Japanese)
  7. For the People of Asia, Honganji Newspaper, April 1, 1990, (Japanese)
  8. Lecturers from an Asian Perspectives: Sri Lankan Researcher became an Associate Professor at Saga University, Saga Newspaper, May 9, 1990, (Japanese)
  9. Liberalization of Imports Reduces National Food Security: Effect on Food Situation in Asia, Yomiuri Newspaper, June 13, 1990, (Japanese)
  10. Symposium on Asian Rice Culture, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 22, 1990, (Japanese)
  11. International Conference on Let’s Deepen Solidarity in Asia: Call for Grassroots Exchange, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 24, 1990, (Japanese)
  12. Taue Uta (rice-Planting-Song) Asia Festival, 1990, Saga Newspaper, June 24, 1990, (Japanese)
  13. Asian Rice Planting Song: Nishiarita Town Festival, Saga Newspaper, June 25, 1990, (Japanese)
  14. Singing Voice from Ten Countries in Asian Region: Enliven the Spirit of Rice Cultivation, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 25, 1990, (Japanese)
  15. Speech at the 1990 General Meeting of the Saga International Student Exchange Promotion Council, International Communication News, Saga International Student Exchange Council, Vol. 2, 1990, (Japanese)
  16. Understanding Reality: Japan Image, Saga Newspaper, January 1, 1991, (Japanese)
  17. Let’s Learn about Foreign Countries, Saga Newspaper, March 3, 1991, (Japanese)
  18. Surprised by the Lack of Interest in Elections, Yomiuri Newspaper, April 6, 1991, (Japanese)
  19. Recommendation of Saga Studies, Saga Newspaper, November 9, 1991, (Japanese)
  20. Opening of Rice Market in Japan: Decline of Self-sufficiency Rate, Saga Newspaper, December 7, 1991, (Japanese)
  21. Life, Society and Asia, Mainichi Newspaper, May 4, 1992, (Japan)
  22. Recognition of Each Other’s Culture: Constructive Cooperation, Saga Newspaper, March 23, 1993, (Japanese)
  23. Academic Exchange and Racial Prejudice, Asahi Newspaper, November 19, 1993, (Japanese)
  24. A Sri Lankan person becomes a professor from a Japanese national university, Lakbima Newspaper, March 16, 1997 (Sri Lanka), (Japanese)
  25. Aims of an Open University, Saga Newspaper, June 2, 1998 (Japan), (Japanese)
  26. Saga University Explores, Creates, and Opens up to Asia: The Future Stars from Here, Yomiuri Newspaper, March 21, 1999 (Japanese)
  27. English Book on Asian Agriculture: Communicating Food Issues to the World, Saga Newspaper, August 23, 2000, (Japanese)
  28. Japan-Centered Asia: Perspectives and Recommendations, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, January 23, 2001, (Japanese)
  29. Quality of University Reform, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, April 24, 2001, (Japanese)
  30. Talking about the future starting now: Nishi Nihon Forum 21, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 2, 2001, (Japanese)
  31. From Reaffirming the Uniqueness of Kyushu: Nishi Nihon Forum 21, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 4, 2001, (Japanese)
  32. Information for Reform: Perspective Proposal, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, June 26, 2001, (Japanese)
  33. Welfare and Economic Development, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, September 25, 2001, (Japanese)
  34. Emergency Gathering due to Terrorist Attacks in the US: Discussion among 60 Muslims in Saga City, Saga Newspaper, October 22, 2001 (Japanese)
  35. Exploring the New Shape of Kyushu, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, January 1, 2002, (Japanese)
  36. Future of Saga: Saga People and Foreigners Forum, Saga Newspaper, January 5, 2002 (Japanese)
  37. Internationalization and Local Support: Construction of Housing Exclusively for International Students, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, February 6, 2002, (Japanese)
  38. Importance of Internationalization of Universities: Improving the Quality of Both Entrance and Graduation, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, February 26, 2002, (Japanese)
  39. A Movie that Spread Empathy: Hong Kong of the Rising Sun, Saga Newspaper, May 6, 2002, (Japanese)
  40. Work Hard on Your Studies with Peace of Mind: Construction of a Dormitory for International Students with Private Funds, Saga Newspaper, May 6, 2002, (Japanese)
  41. Symposium on International Students’ Education in Japan, Saga Newspaper, June 2, 2002, (Japanese)
  42. The Difference between Two Countries that were in the Same Place 50 years Ago, Divaina Newspaper, October 20, 2002 (Shinhala)
  43. The Beginning of Japan’s Early Modern Era, Saga Newspaper October 8, 2003 (Japanese)
  44. The Development of Asia and its Impact on Kyushu, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, April 22, 2004, (Japanese)
  45. Fundraising Activities of International Students and Saga People for the Construction of a School in a Tsunami-Affected Area in Sri Lanka, Saga Newspaper, February 4, 2005 (Japanese)
  46. Suppressing Dialogue by Considering Only Economic Factors, Divaina, May 8, 2005 (Shinhala)
  47. 2nd International Conference on Business Management in the Third World, Annual Conference of the Faculty of Management Studies & Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 10th March 2005, Gall Face Hotel, Colombo, Daily News, March 10, 2005 (English)
  48. Learning in English is also a reason for economic backwardness, Divaina, March 27, 2005, (Shinhala)
  49. Professor at Saga University from Sri Lanka: Rebuilding a School in Home Country, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, April 18, 2005, (Japanese)
  50. Lost Opportunities: Lessons from Japan, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, April 25, 2005, (Japanese)
  51. Suppressing Development by Considering Only Economic Factors, Divaina Sunday Newspaper, May 8, 2005, (Shinhala)
  52. Book Published in Sri Lanka Considering Japan’s Post-war Reconstruction Experience, Saga Newspaper, June 22, 2005, (Japanese)
  53. Piyadasa Ratnayake: Domestic and International Economic Development through Human Resource Development, Visit of Research Lab in Saga University, July 7, 2005 (Japanese)
  54. Well-Researched Book on Sri Lanka’s Economy, Daily News, July 29, 2005, (English)
  55. Support for Tsunami Damaged Sri Lanka: Friendship Proof Library, Saga Newspaper, March 28, 2006, (Japanese)
  56. Relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka, Saga Newspaper, April 17, 2006, (Japanese)
  57. Donation of Children Library to Sri Lanka, Saga Newspaper, April 18, 2006, (Japanese)
  58. Donation of the Library from Saga University to Sunami-Affected Malpeththawa School in Sri Lanka, Divaina Newspaper, April 20, 2006 (Shinhala)
  59. Developing Friendship with Sri Lanka: Donation of the Library, Asahi Newspaper, May 17, 2006 (Japanese)
  60. Sri Lanka: Introduction to History and Daily Life, Saga Newspaper, May 22, 2006, (Japanese)
  61. People Interview: Prof. Piyadasa Ratnayake, Saga University, Tottotto SAGA, Vol.29 December 2006 (Japanese)
  62. Time for Unified Action in Kyushu: Efficiency Alone is not Enough to Match the Reality of Life, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, August 6, 2006, (Japanese)
  63. Provision of Disaster Prevention Knowledge to Sri Lankan School Teachers, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, August 17, 2007, (Japanese)
  64. Disaster Prevention Training Programme in Saga for Sri Lankans, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, October 23, 2007, (Japanese)
  65. Donation of Arita Ware Kaleidoscope to High School in Sri Lanka, Saga Newspaper, October 29, 2007 (Japanese)
  66. Transfer of Research Outcomes of Universities to Regional Development: The Key is Collaboration with Companies and Local Governments, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, August 4, 2008, (Japanese)
  67. International Symposium on Economic Development in Asia, Saga Newspaper, December 16, 2008 (Japanese)
  68. Survey on Reconstruction Support for Tsunami-Affected Regions in Sri Lanka, Asahi Newspaper, January 12, 2009, (Japanese)
  69. Why is Sri Lankan Economy not developing? Lankadeepa Newspaper, February 25, 2009, (Shinhala)
  70. Economic Development is not Stopped because of the War, Dinamina Newspaper, March 11, 2009, (Shinhala)
  71. An Introduction to Sri Lankan New Year, Saga Newspaper, April 21, 2009, (Japanese)
  72. International Symposium on Food Crisis, Saga Newspaper, September 17, 2009, (Japanese)
  73. International Symposium on Food Crisis: Cooperation Beyond National Boundaries, Saga Newspaper, September 26, 2009, (Japanese)
  74. From Knowing Tsunami, Yomiuri Newspaper, November 16, 2009, (Japanese)
  75. International Symposium on Global Economic Crisis, Saga Newspaper, November 28, 2009, (Japanese)
  76. Donation of Auditorium from Japan to Tsunami Affected Area in Sri Lanka, Saga Newspaper, March 13, 2010, (Japanese)
  77. International Students at Saga University: Japan Language Competition, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, August 13, 2010, (Japanese)
  78. Enjoy Sri Lankan Tea Party: Charity Party at Saga University, Saga Newspaper, November 28, 2010, (Japanese)
  79. A Gift from Japan to Ambalantota Maha Vidyalaya, Lankadeepa Newspaper, February 13, 2010, (Shinhala)
  80. International Symposium on Human Resource Development, Saga Newspaper, February 18, 2011, (Japanese)
  81. Thinking about Issues in Teaching International Students, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, February 26, 2011, (Japanese)
  82. Charity Event of Sri Lankan Students in Saga University: Support for the Victims of Tsunami Disaster in Sri Lanka, Yomiuri Newspaper, April 22, 2011, (Japanese)
  83. Home Country Curry and New Year Dishes: A Charity Event of Sri Lankan Students for Helping Tsunami Victims in Home Country, Saga Newspaper, April 22, 2011, (Japanese)
  84. International Symposium on Exchange of Opinions on Food Security, Nishi Nihon Newspaper, January 17, 2012, (Japanese)
  85. International Symposium on TPP and Food Security, Saga Newspaper, January 17, 2012, (Japanese)
  86. International Symposium on Social Business and Poverty Alleviation, Saga Newspaper, January 24, 2012, (Japanese)
  87. Saga as Seen through the Eyes of Foreigners, Saga no Satokami Bunkashi, Vol. 20, 2008 (Japanese)
  88. Japanese Universities and their Contribution to Asia: Research by Prof. Ratnayake and Others, Saga Newspaper, March 19, 2013, (Japanese)
  89. Tsunami Victims’ Appreciation, Saga Newspaper, April 14, 2013, (Japan)
  90. A Bridge for International Exchange: Sri Lankan Professor at Saga University, Piyadasa Ratnayake, Saga Newspaper, July 12, 2013, (Japanese)
  91. Contribution to Internationalization of Saga University: Three Foreign Professors Appointed as Ambassadors of Saga University, Saga Newspaper, January 17, 2014, (Japanese)
  92. Let’s Enjoy the Sri Lankan New Year, Saga Newspaper, April 13, 2014, (Japanese)
  93. Eliminating Discrimination through Education: Current Situation in India, Saga Newspaper, May 31, 2014, (Japanese)
  94. Provision of a Place for Worship: International Buddhist Exchange Association, Saga Newspaper, November 6, 2014, (Japanese)
  95. UNICEF Lecture: Education, Caste and Women in India, Saga UNICEF Association, May 24, 2014 (Japanese)
  96. Retirement of Professor Ratnayake: 30 Years of Asian Economic Research at Saga University”, Saga Newspaper, March 31, 2017, (Japanese)
  97. Social Gathering of Buddhist International Students at Ganshoji Temple, Saga Newspaper, May 14, 2017, (Japanese)
  98. The Reality of Skills Do Not Cross the Ocean, Asahi Newspaper, November 20, 2017 (Japanese)
  99. Discussion Begins with Mutual Understanding, Saga Newspaper, December 10, 2017, (Japanese)
  100. Cultivating Guava Without Polishing Employments: Illusion of Technical Intern Training, Asahi Newspaper, December 14, 2017 (Part One), (Japanese)
  101. Cultivating Guava Without Polishing Employments: Illusion of Technical Intern Training, Asahi Newspaper, December 16, 2017, (Part Two), (Japanese)
  102. Contribution of Technical Intern Training to Alleviation Poverty in Asia, Saga Newspaper, May 9, 2018, (Japanese)
  103. Contributing to Poverty Alleviation in Asia: Professor Emeritus at Saga University Gives Lecture on Foreign Technical Intern Training, Saga Newspaper, June 7, 2018, (Japanese)
  104. Benefits of Foreign Technical Intern Trainees: Piyadasa Ratnayake, Professor Emeritus at Saga University, Nikkan Kogyo Newspaper, September 3, 2018, (Japanese)
  105. Saga Prefecture International Exchange Association 30th Anniversary Interview, https://www.spira.or.jp/hello-saga/kinenshi, 2020 (Japanese)
  106. Special Report: Benefits of Foreign Technical Intern Trainees: Piyadasa Ratnayake, Professor Emeritus at Saga University, Kaigai Toushi Jouho (Foreign Investment Information Magazine), IM Japan, February 2021 (Japanese)
  107. Intern Training Programme: How to See it from Asia, Asahi Newspaper, February 13, 2021, (Japanese)
  108. A Japan Approach to International Cooperation, Japan’s Modernization Studies, Resource Person, Sri Lanka Japan Study Center, University of Peradeniya, February 16, 2022 (English)
  109. International Students’ Light Up Festival: Ganshoji Temple, Saga Newspaper, May 17, 2022, (Japanese)
  110. You Can’t Learn Skills in Japan: Interns are Labor Force; They Go to Japan for Earning Money, Asahi Newspaper, March 26, 2023, (Japanese)
  111. What Technical Intern Trainees Gained from Japan: What We Learned from a Survey Conducted by a Professor from Sri Lanka, Asahi Newspaper Digital Version, April 18, 2023 (Japanese)