Sunday Times 2
Lanka’s overseas missions celebrate Independence Day
View(s):The Sri Lanka High Commissions, embassies and diplomatic missions celebrated the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence at the High Commissioner’s official residence on February 4 with a large gathering of the Sri Lankan community in Singapore. The event began with the hoisting of the National Flag and the singing of the National Anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil, followed by two minutes silence in remembrance of all who sacrificed their lives for the country and the victims of conflicts.
Multi-faith religious observances were also conducted invoking blessings on the country and the people of Sri Lanka. The National Day Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were also read out.
| New Delhi The official ceremony was held on the morning of February 4. In her address, High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara stressed the need to live together as one family to create a new Sri Lanka. On February 6, around 800 guests attended the reception hosted by the High Commissioner. The Chief Guest of the event was Minister of Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology of India Ravi Shankar Prasad. Welcoming the Chief Guest, the High Commissioner said that the leaders of the two countries have exchanged several visits and that such interactions have brought about a “new momentum” to the “special relationship” between the two countries.  High Commissioner Chitrangani Wagiswara welcoming India's Law and Justice and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad | |
| Singapore Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Nimal Weeraratne said the steadfast efforts of the Government have fostered an atmosphere for all Sri Lankans to celebrate this milestone occasion. The High Commission also hosted a reception on February 6, with the participation of a large number of invitees, including representatives and officials from the Government of Singapore, members of diplomatic corps, business community, academia, and friends of Sri Lanka in Singapore. Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National Development Koh Poh Koon was the Chief Guest.  High Commissioner Nimal Weeraratne lighting the oil lamp together with Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National Development Koh Poh Koon | |
| New York The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations together with the Sri Lanka community in the Tri State area celebrated Sri Lanka’s 70th anniversary of Independence on February 4, 2018 at the Susan E Wagner High School in Staten Island, New York. Ambassador Rohan Perera lit the oil lamp together with children representing Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic backgrounds Addressing the gathering, Mr. Perera noted that Sri Lanka is in an era of good governance based on the principles of democracy, inclusivity, unity and reconciliation. The highlight of the evening was a cultural show which included several items performed by children from the Tri-State Sri Lankan Community and included a musical dedication by Visharadha Shalika Aroshini and a cultural dedication in the form of Bharatha Natyam performed by Guru Calai Chandrasekeram. The celebrations concluded with a Sri Lankan buffet dinner. diplomatic reception was held later.  UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed with Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative Dr Rohan Perera at the diplomatic reception held to celebrate Sri Lanka’s 70th national day at the UN last week. Left: Ceremonies at the the Susan E Wagner High School |