{"id":157793,"date":"2026-08-11T15:02:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=157793"},"modified":"2026-08-11T15:02:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:02:52","slug":"senaka-weeraratna-attorney-at-law-delivered-a-talk-on-the-premises-of-the-japanese-parliament-diet-on-november-14-2018-thanking-japan-for-liberating-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/08\/11\/senaka-weeraratna-attorney-at-law-delivered-a-talk-on-the-premises-of-the-japanese-parliament-diet-on-november-14-2018-thanking-japan-for-liberating-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Senaka Weeraratna, Attorney &#8211; at Law, delivered a talk on the premises of the Japanese Parliament (Diet) on November 14, 2018 thanking Japan for liberating Asia.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Senaka Weeraratna<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"278\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-157794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-18.png 278w, https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-18-181x300.png 181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"355\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-157795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-19.png 355w, https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-19-227x300.png 227w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AI Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The expression of gratitude delivered by Sri Lankan attorney Senaka Weeraratna at the Japanese Parliament (Diet) on November 14, 2018, was received with <strong>deep appreciation, validation, and a profound sense of historical vindication<\/strong> by the Japanese conservative establishment. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2022\/12\/02\/the-speech-in-the-japanese-parliament-diet-that-won-japans-abstention-on-the-resolution-against-sri-lanka-at-unhrc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/21\/speech-on-the-premises-of-the-diet-japanese-parliament-by-sri-lankan-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2020\/02\/02\/japans-role-in-sri-lanka-gaining-independence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lecture, titled <em>&#8220;Japan&#8217;s attack on Pearl Harbour ignited the liberation of Asia from Western domination \u2013 Time for Asia to express gratitude to Japan,&#8221;<\/em> was organized by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sdh-fact.com\/CL\/Senakas-Speech.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact<\/a>. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary responses and impacts of his speech include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Official Vindication and Reciprocal Gratitude:<\/strong> Following the address, Kase Hideaki, a prominent Japanese diplomatic critic and Chairman of the Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact, delivered a formal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vote of Thanks<\/a>. Kase stated that Weeraratna&#8217;s words brought profound pride to those who felt Japan&#8217;s true wartime legacy had been distorted by Western-centric history. He noted that while Japan did not look to Asian nations for gratitude, the acknowledgment from a Sri Lankan intellectual was deeply moving. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sdh-fact.com\/CL\/Kase-Speech.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2018\/11\/28\/japans-attack-on-pearl-harbour-ignited-the-liberation-of-asia-from-western-domination-time-to-express-asias-gratitude-to-japan-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preservation of the Speech as a Historical Document:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sdh-fact.com\/essay-article\/886\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Society for the Dissemination of Historical Fact<\/a> officially translated, published, and archived the entire text of Weeraratna&#8217;s speech. They utilized it as an educational and diplomatic tool to argue against the outcomes of the post-WWII Tokyo Trials, which they view as Victor&#8217;s Justice. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sdh-fact.com\/essay-article\/886\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2022\/12\/02\/the-speech-in-the-japanese-parliament-diet-that-won-japans-abstention-on-the-resolution-against-sri-lanka-at-unhrc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tangible Diplomatic Reciprocity:<\/strong> Weeraratna&#8217;s speech had direct geopolitical ramifications. It is widely acknowledged in Sri Lankan foreign policy circles that this specific expression of gratitude directly influenced Japan&#8217;s surprising decision to <strong>abstain from voting against Sri Lanka<\/strong> on a highly critical Western-backed resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2022\/12\/02\/the-speech-in-the-japanese-parliament-diet-that-won-japans-abstention-on-the-resolution-against-sri-lanka-at-unhrc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reinforcement of Historic Ties:<\/strong> For the Japanese public and political figures, Weeraratna\u2019s speech reinforced a long-standing historical bond. It directly mirrored the famous 1951 San Francisco Peace Conference defense of Japan by former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene. The speech reminded the Japanese people of Sri Lanka&#8217;s generational role as a unique defender of Japan&#8217;s place in the international community. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lk.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_ja\/00_000886.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/island.lk\/jrjs-san-francisco-speech-that-won-japans-eternal-gratitude\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mfa.gov.lk\/posts\/japan-appreciates-sri-lankas-solidarity-exhibited-through-participating-in-the-o\/4286531781435729\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/210919\/sunday-times-2\/remembering-the-age-long-bonds-between-japan-and-sri-lanka-455690.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4<\/a>]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/udNuLhv8aqGJRFshy\">https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/udNuLhv8aqGJRFshy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI Overview<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The speech in the Japanese Parliament (Diet)&nbsp; that won Japan\u2019s abstention on the Resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-lankaweb-com wp-block-embed-lankaweb-com\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"R38DxCOWxF\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2022\/12\/02\/the-speech-in-the-japanese-parliament-diet-that-won-japans-abstention-on-the-resolution-against-sri-lanka-at-unhrc\/\">The speech in the Japanese Parliament (Diet)\u00a0 that won Japan&#8217;s abstention on the Resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;The speech in the Japanese Parliament (Diet)\u00a0 that won Japan&#8217;s abstention on the Resolution against Sri Lanka at UNHRC&#8221; &#8212; LankaWeb.com\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2022\/12\/02\/the-speech-in-the-japanese-parliament-diet-that-won-japans-abstention-on-the-resolution-against-sri-lanka-at-unhrc\/embed\/#?secret=Nbe9T3yz8c#?secret=R38DxCOWxF\" data-secret=\"R38DxCOWxF\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kasi Hideaki\u2019s Vote of Thanks to Senaka Weeraratna\u2019s&nbsp;speech at the Japanese Parliament on November 14, 2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-lankaweb-com wp-block-embed-lankaweb-com\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"mqHdHZKcxn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/\">Kasi Hideaki&#8217;s Vote of Thanks to Senaka Weeraratna&#8217;s\u00a0speech at the Japanese Parliament on November 14, 2018<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Kasi Hideaki&#8217;s Vote of Thanks to Senaka Weeraratna&#8217;s\u00a0speech at the Japanese Parliament on November 14, 2018&#8221; &#8212; LankaWeb.com\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/04\/26\/kasi-hideakis-vote-of-thanks-to-senaka-weeraratnas-speech-at-the-japanese-parliament-on-november-14-2018\/embed\/#?secret=VfTU2hel76#?secret=mqHdHZKcxn\" data-secret=\"mqHdHZKcxn\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-lankaweb-com wp-block-embed-lankaweb-com\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"34Jqy6PptG\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/11\/17\/watch-a-song-about-japans-imphal-operation-in-1944-%e7%86%b1%e7%a0%82%e3%81%ae%e9%9b%84%e5%8f%ab%e3%81%b3%ef%bc%8f%e6%9d%b1%e6%b5%b7%e6%9e%97%e5%a4%aa%e9%83%8e-on-youtube\/\">Watch a song about Japan&#8217;s Imphal Operation in 1944 &#8220;\u71b1\u7802\u306e\u96c4\u53eb\u3073\uff0f\u6771\u6d77\u6797\u592a\u90ce&#8221; on YouTube<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Watch a song about Japan&#8217;s Imphal Operation in 1944 &#8220;\u71b1\u7802\u306e\u96c4\u53eb\u3073\uff0f\u6771\u6d77\u6797\u592a\u90ce&#8221; on YouTube&#8221; &#8212; LankaWeb.com\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2021\/11\/17\/watch-a-song-about-japans-imphal-operation-in-1944-%e7%86%b1%e7%a0%82%e3%81%ae%e9%9b%84%e5%8f%ab%e3%81%b3%ef%bc%8f%e6%9d%b1%e6%b5%b7%e6%9e%97%e5%a4%aa%e9%83%8e-on-youtube\/embed\/#?secret=SmVyHpiDIm#?secret=34Jqy6PptG\" data-secret=\"34Jqy6PptG\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senaka Weeraratna AI Overview The expression of gratitude delivered by Sri Lankan attorney Senaka Weeraratna at the Japanese Parliament (Diet) on November 14, 2018, was received with deep appreciation, validation, and a profound sense of historical vindication by the Japanese conservative establishment. [1, 2, 3, 4] The lecture, titled &#8220;Japan&#8217;s attack on Pearl Harbour ignited [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-senaka-weeraratna"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157793"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":157796,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157793\/revisions\/157796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}