Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka to Japan, Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe officially assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo on 22 May 2025.
To mark the commencement of his assignment, a solemn multi-religious ceremony was held at the Embassy premises with the participation of the Ambassador-designate and staff. Religious observances were conducted by representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian faiths, invoking blessings for the success of his tenure and the prosperity of the nation.
Following the religious ceremony, Ambassador-designate Kumarasinghe addressed the gathering. He expressed sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and blessings extended to him, and reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Embassy team, Sri Lankan community in Japan, and Japanese stakeholders to strengthen bilateral relations, promote economic prosperity, and elevate Sri Lanka’s international profile. He also underscored his dedication to fulfilling the mandate of the Government of Sri Lanka through proactive and collaborative diplomacy.
Kumarasinghe becomes the nineteenth Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan. A distinguished academic, economist, and public policy advisor, he brings over 25 years of experience in teaching, research, and national capacity-building.
He holds a Ph.D. in Development Economics from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Japan), a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan, and a First Class Honours Degree in Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Prior to this appointment, Ambassador-designate Kumarasinghe served as a senior academic at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, where he played a pivotal role in academic reform, research development, and public policy formulation. His research portfolio spans diverse topics including economic development, savings behavior, the role of SMEs, foreign remittances, and macroeconomic policy.
He has also served as a resource person to national ministries and institutions, including the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Defense, and held key administrative roles in the university sector, including Deputy Proctor, Director of Career Guidance, and Member of the University Governing Council.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tokyo
28 May 2025
