Photo/Illutration  Dodammullage D. Akalanka (Photo by Takunori Yasuda) 

KAMEYAMA, Mie Prefecture—Sri Lankan Dodammullage D. Akalanka vividly remembers a scene from his early days in Japan.

It was when he was studying Japanese at a vocational school in Shizuoka Prefecture.

A smiling police officer was talking to elderly people and children at a police box.

In his home country of Sri Lanka, he thought, police officers carried guns and didn’t smile. They were scary and distant.

He wondered why the Japanese officer was treating people so gently. This set him on the idea of becoming one.

Akalanka, 30, used to watch the popular Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) drama “Oshin” on TV when he was young. This sharpened his interest in Japan.

After finishing high school, he worked as a guide at a travel agency in Colombo.

This work brought him into contact with Japanese tourists. He decided to study in Japan and learn the hospitality culture known as “omotenashi.”

Five years ago, Akalanka moved to Japan to study Japanese. He is currently enrolled at Yokkaichi University in Yokkaichi, also in Mie Prefecture.

He realized that he would not become a police officer. Only people with Japanese nationality can do that.

But he pursued a partial career with the police by joining the Wakagashi Supporter, a group of volunteers organized by Mie prefectural police.

In this role he works with young people such as delinquents, showing them how to study. He talks to kindergarteners about crime prevention.

On July 11, Akalanka visited a kindergarten with police officers.

He performed a “kamishibai” picture card show and used panels to explain to preschoolers what they shouldn't do.

It seemed to Akalanka that the children enjoyed it.

“I strongly felt the importance of dealing with people gently, respectfully and warmly,” he said.

After graduating from college, Akalanka wants to work in car sales in Japan.

Whether he stays in Japan or returns to Sri Lanka after graduation, he intends to cherish the spirit of hospitality he learned from the police officer that day.

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