Sunday Times 2
How Lankans overseas celebrated Independence Day
View(s):France
The embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris celebrated the 69th Anniversary of the Independence on 4th February 2017 at Espace Saint Pierre in Paris with the participation of over 550 invitees from the Sri Lankan community representing all ethnicities.
Staying true to the spirit of reconciliation, the national anthem was sung in both Sinhala and Tamil by two groups of students followed by a two minute silence for all Sri Lankans who sacrificed their lives on behalf of the country. The traditional oil lamp was lit by Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja and a group of children representing the four main ethnicities in Sri Lanka; Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and BurgherThe national day messages of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera were read out by Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja and members of the staff.
Ambassador Ranaviraja in his remarks highlighted the importance of national unity for advancing meaningful reconciliation and economic development which are also the policy priorities of the Government. In this context, he invited the Sri Lankan community living in France to join in the development process of the country.
Cultural performances featuring different dancing traditions of the country to display its rich cultural heritage made the event more vibrant. Guests were treated to a traditional Sri Lankan meal consisting of rice and curry at the end of the event.
Ambassador Tilak Ranaviraja and children representing Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities
South Korea
Sri Lanka’s embassy in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in collaboration with Gimpo City Office and the Sri Lankan community celebrated the 69th anniversary of independence and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries at a community event held at the Civic Center in Gimpo City on Sunday February 5.
The celebration, towards which particular support was extended by the Sri Lankan community representatives and the Sri Lanka Students Association, was attended by Korean dignitaries and more than 400 Sri Lankans living and working in different regions in Korea.
The Chief Guest was Gimpo City Mayor Yoo Young-Rok.
Ambassador Manisha Gunasekera extended the Sri Lankan Government’s special appreciation to the workers for their significant contribution towards the economies of Sri Lanka and Korea. She also noted that there was a 32 percent increase in Sri Lankan workers in Korea in 2016 as compared to the 2015 figures, and reiterated the commitment of the Sri Lankan Government to look after every aspect of the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in Korea.
Delivering Congratulatory Remarks on the occasion, the Mayor of Gimpo City strongly welcomed this celebration being organised in Gimpo City which is home to more than 800 Sri Lankan migrant workers. The Mayor greatly appreciated the contribution of Sri Lankan workers to the economy of Gimpo city as well as that of Korea.
The Ambassador presented special plaques of appreciation to the Mayor of Gimpo City and other Guests of Honour, as well as employers/CEOs of 10 Korean employers, in consideration of their strong support to enhancing Sri Lanka – Korea labour relations. Ten Korean employers were presented with plaques of appreciation on the occasion as a result of the programme launched by the Embassy in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
The celebrations also included a buffet meal of Sri Lankan food and sweet meats, cultural programmes featuring Sri Lankan and Korean traditional dance and music.
The Mayor of Gimpo City Yoo Young – Rok receiving the plaque of appreciation from Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Manisha Gunasekera.
India
Sri Lanka’s High Commission in India celebrated the 69th anniversary of the independence with the official ceremony held in the morning of February 4, followed by a reception at the High Commission premises on February 6.
The official ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara amid the sound of the ceremonial drums (Magul Bera). Following the rendering of the National Anthem, religious dignitaries representing all four major religions in Sri Lanka – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity – blessed the country, the leaders and the people.
A two minute silence was observed in respect of national heroes of Sri Lanka. The messages of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera were read by the High Commissioner and members of the diplomatic staff. The invitees who also included Sri Lankan expatriates in New Delhi were hosted to a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast. An alms giving was held prior to the official ceremony at the official residence for the Buddhist clergy representing all major Sri Lankan Buddhist institutes in India.
The diplomatic reception was graced by the Minister of State for External Affairs of India, M.J. Akbar, as the Chief Guest and other prominent guests who included Foreign Secretary S. Jaishanker and Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary Ram Madhav.
Addressing the invitees High Commissioner Wagiswara highlighted the excellent relations between Sri Lanka and India and referred to the strengthening of the bilateral ties after the assumption of office of the National Unity Government in Sri Lanka, She said the two countries were moving together in partnership in building and further strengthening the traditionally close relations.
High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara with India's State Minister for External Affairs M.J.Akbar at the Independence Day reception
Britain
The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London commemorated the 69th Anniversary of Independence on February 4 at the High Commission premises, with the participation of all the communities.
The programme began with the hoisting of the National Flag by High Commissioner Amari Wijewardene. The National Anthem of Sri Lanka was sung in Sinhala followed by the observance of two minutes’ silence in remembrance of the fallen heroes of the nation. Religious observances were conducted by Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero, Supramaniya Kurukkal, Rev. Fr. Daya Perera, and Moulavi Mohamed Anas.
High Commissioner Wijewardene, in her address, stated that the commemoration of our independence is in many ways an occasion for us to celebrate the lives of our national heroes and to assess the path that our country has taken over the past 69 years. Quoting President Maithripala Sirisena, she stated that “…the realisation of the true meaning of freedom and independence lies in our potential to free ourselves from the shackles of all kinds and forms of poverty and ill-health, and confines of diverse identities of race, religion and caste, and enrich ourselves, as a society that values equity and rights of all,” and called on everyone to resolve this endeavour in every possible way.
The event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem in Tamil. Copies of the Independence Day messages of the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister were made available to the guests in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages.
On February 6, the High Commissioner hosted a reception for the representatives of the diplomatic corps, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Lords and Members of the House of Commons, representatives of the international organisations based in London, Mayors, Councillors, academics and the business community in London. Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary General and Her Majesty’s Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps Sir Alistair Harrison were among those present.
High Commissioner Amari Wijewardene selcoming Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland
Indonesia
Sri Lankans in Indonesia celebrated the 69th Anniversary of Independence on February 4. The ceremonies at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jakarta reflected the multi-religious, multi-ethnic character of Sri Lanka, in keeping with this year’s theme of National Unity.
Following the hoisting of the National Flag, the National Anthem was sung in both Sinhala and Tamil. This was followed by the observance of two-minute silence in remembrance of those who scarified their lives for the Nation.
In his remarks during the occasion, Ambassador Dharshana M. Perera outlined the developments that had taken place in the country in strengthening democracy, rule of law, inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, pluralism and good governance particularly under the present Unity Government.
Mr. Perera said the friendly relations between the two countries had gained significant elevation following the meetings between Sri Lanka’s President and Prime Minister with Indonesia’s President in May and August last year and that of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in October that year.
He identified fisheries, education, skills developments, aviation, electoral management and commercial agriculture among others as areas for closer cooperation between the two countries. He said the two countries had a common desire to elevate the economic engagement and pointed to the existing good cooperation with regard to Indian Ocean matters, culture, tourism and defence. He acknowledged the role played by the Sri Lankan community in Indonesia in bringing the peoples of the two countries closer together.
The morning’s event concluded with a reception, serving traditional Sri Lankan and Indonesian food.
Ambassador Darshana Perera addressing the Independence Day ceremony at the Jakarta embassy
