Prime Minister of Japan Keizo Obuchi has sent the following acknowledgement to Mr. Karunasena Kodituwakku MP for Colombo District in response to the message of felicitation sent on his appointment to the new office.

I am most grateful for your cordial message on my appointment as Prime Minister of Japan.

I fondly remember had I talked closely with you as President of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentarians' League on various occasions during your tenure as Ambassador to Japan.

I would like to work in my new capacity as Prime Minister to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between our two countries. I look forward to your continued cooperation to this end.