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.