“The Order of the Rising Sun” conferred on Manoj Fernando

Sugiyama Akira, the ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays” on Manoj Caushalya Fernando, Executive Vice President of the Sri Lanka Baseball/Softball Association (SLBSA)  on October 7 at the ambassador’s official residence in Colombo.

“As a vital member of SLBSA, Fernando has dedicated himself to promoting baseball in Sri Lanka for more than three decades. His contribution has been instrumental in the national baseball team excelling in the region, as showcased in winning two consecutive championships in 2017 and 2019 at the West Asia Baseball Cup. Through his great passion for baseball, Fernando has vastly contributed to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka, notably by liaising and receiving successive Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) in the area of baseball since 2002. Fernando also played a pivotal role in realizing a dream stadium at Diyagama (Sri Lanka – Japan Friendship Baseball Ground) which was completed with the support of the government of Japan and JICA donation,” a statement from the Embassy of Japan said.

According to the Embassy of Japan “The Order of the Rising Sun” is the highest order conferred by the Government of Japan, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor, on individuals who have made distinguished achievements in international relations and promotion of Japanese culture, among others.