08 February 2010

As a gesture of goodwill from Japanese residents and Japanese companies operating in Sri Lanka, President of Japanese Solidarity Association Mr. Yoshiaki KATO and Chairman of Japan Commerce and Industry Association Mr. Tadashi Komenoi have jointly provided 18 sets of mobile libraries with picture books called “ALIPANCHA” to the Hon. Governor, Northern Province, Major General GA Chandrasiri on 8th February  2010 in Colombo.

The mobile libraries will be soon handed over to pre-schools in Menik Farm with the assistance of the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare.

“ALIPANCHA (little elephant)”, initiated by Japanese NGO, Surangani Voluntary Service (SVS), is intended to provide non-stressful experiences with picture books that allow children to explore and develop their language and literacy skills as well as promote multicultural understanding. With the “ALIPANCHA” mobile library, children can borrow each picture book for a few days to read at home. It is hoped that this will also promote parent-child interaction.

Japanese solidarity association is a voluntary group consisting of about 200 Japanese nationals residing in Sri Lanka, and its objective is to foster mutual friendship and promote friendship between the two countries. Japanese Commerce and Industry Association, with a membership of over 50 Japanese companies operating in Sri Lanka, works towards promoting business relations between Japanese and Sri Lankan companies.