Professor Dilrukshi Ratnayake, Professor of Japanese Language of the Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya was awarded Foreign Minister’s Commendation on 20^th October 2023 by His Excellency MIZUKOSHI Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka.

Prof. Dilrukshi Ratnayake is a distinguished professor who has done a great service for the advancement of the Japanese language in Sri Lanka and has devoted a lot to improving the friendship between Sri Lanka and Japan.

In September 2002, she was selected for the Southwest Asian Youth Invitation Program conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and was also able to receive the Monbusho scholarship offered by the Japanese government in 2005. She received her M.Phil. and Ph.D. from the University of Nagoya in Japan.

She first started her career as a Japanese language teacher and later joined the University of Kelaniya. Currently, she is working as a Senior Lecturer Grade 1 in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Kelaniya.

At the award ceremony, the Japanese ambassador highly appreciated the excellent service rendered by the professor and also offered his warm greetings.

The award is presented to individuals and organizations that have provided outstanding service to promote friendship and understanding between Japan and other countries, and the purpose of this award is to gain the support of the Japanese people for the activities of the recipients.

Senior Professor Nilanthi De Silva, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, and Professor Emeritus Janaka De Silva also graced this awarding ceremony.