The first session of the Sri Lanka – Japan Human Resources Promotion Program 2026, jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan, was successfully held in Tokyo on 27 July 2026.
The event brought together representatives from 25 licensed Sri Lankan recruitment agencies and nearly 100 Japanese employers and receiving organizations engaged in recruiting Sri Lankan workers.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Mr. Koshala Wickremasinghe, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and included Mr. H. W. Samantha, Acting Deputy General Manager (Planning & Research), together with other senior officials of the Bureau.
In his address, Prof. Pivithuru Janak Kumarasinghe, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan highlighted the long-standing friendship and strong bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan. He also acknowledged the valuable employment opportunities that Japan has provided to Sri Lankan nationals over the years.
The Ambassador further reaffirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to supplying a highly skilled and well-trained workforce that meets the evolving needs of the Japanese labour market. He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between Sri Lankan recruitment agencies and Japanese employers to create more quality employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.
The programme also featured a Business-to-Business (B2B) Networking Session, providing representatives of the visiting Sri Lankan recruitment agencies with an excellent opportunity to engage directly with Japanese employers and receiving organizations. The session facilitated productive discussions on current and future employment opportunities, recruitment requirements, and the establishment of long-term partnerships to further promote the recruitment of skilled Sri Lankan workers in Japan.
The programme in Japan was organized under the guidance of His Excellency the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan, with Mr. Sandun Sameera, First Secretary of the Embassy, playing a leading role in coordinating and organizing the event in close collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the participating Sri Lankan recruitment agencies, and the relevant Japanese stakeholders.
The programme serves as an important platform to strengthen cooperation in human resource development, promote ethical and sustainable recruitment practices, and further enhance the longstanding friendship and economic partnership between Sri Lanka and Japan.
