Prof. Kamala Liyanage was honored by the conferment of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Government of Japan on 13 February 2020 at Hotel Amaya Hills in Kandy. The award was presented to her by the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, his Excellency Mr. Akira Sugiyama. Prof. Liyanage is an Emeritus Professor in Political Science, University of Peradeniya who has served in different capacities as an academic and community leader and a friend of Japan to strengthen the mutual relations between Sri Lanka and Japan. She was a founding member of the Sri Lanka - Japan Study Center (SLJSC) at the University of Peradeniya which was established in 2013. In 2018 Prof. Liyanage was awarded The Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for her outstanding achievements in promoting research on Japan in Sri Lanka and promoting friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka.

The award ceremony was held under the patronage of the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka his Excellency Mr. Akira Sugiyama and the officials at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka. Prof. Upul B Dissanayake, Vice-Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, Prof. S.H.P. Parakrama Karunaratne, Deputy Vice- Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, his Worship the Mayor of Kandy Mr. Kesera D. Senanayake, Prof. Kamala Liyanage along with many distinguished guests. Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, Directors of Units and Centers including the Director SLJSC and Director International Relations Office of the University of Peradeniya, as well as the family and friends of Prof. Liyanage graced this prestigious occasion.