Over 1000 members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community and other invited guests attended the event.  

The proceedings commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Rodney Perera followed by the singing of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka by a group of children.  

The National Anthem of the United States was sung thereafter, followed by the observance of two minutes silence in honour of all who have sacrificed their lives to preserve and protect the freedom, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

The lighting of the traditional oil lamp took place afterwards, after which Venerable Maha Sangha and members of clergy belonging to Hindu, Islam and Christian faiths conducted religious observances.  Most Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Wehihene Pannaloka Nayaka Thero, Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero and Ven. Katugastota Uparatana Nayaka Thero, Rev. Swami Mani Kurukkal, Mr. Seyed Rizwan Mowlana and Rev. Father Dilantha Arachchilage offered prayers and invoked blessings.

Excerpts of the Independence Day Speech to the Nation by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was displayed on the giant screen.  

The English and Tamil versions of the President’s speech followed by the Independence Day Messages of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena were read out by Embassy staff in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Speaking on the occasion, the Guest of Honour, Mr. Thomas Vajda, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia of the Department of State said that this celebration, with the inclusion of religious observances from the Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian faiths, as well as reading the Independence Day messages in three languages.

Mr. Vajda congratulated the Sri Lankan people for the recent free, fair and transparent presidential election in Asia's oldest democracy.

While commending the statement by the President that he wants to be the President of all Sri Lankans, Mr. Vajda expressed that the Government of the United States stands ready to work with the new Government of President Rajapaksa to advance cooperation on bilateral and regional issues.

Ambassador Rodney Perera extended a warm welcome and his sincere gratitude to religious dignitaries and the Sri Lankan expatriate community including the children who took part in cultural performances.  

Ambassador Perera underlined President Rajapaksa’s statement that Sri Lanka is a country with an ancient history, and a society nurtured by Buddhist teachings and the teachings of other faiths, and that all efforts must be made to safeguard our culture and our values.

Reflecting on the vision of the President to pay special attention to ensure that our future generation will become productive citizens by nurturing them with the required knowledge, skills and abilities, Ambassador Perera emphasized that the Embassy is developing contacts with Universities and Research Institutions to bring in skills development, training, technological knowhow and educational exchanges.  

Ambassador Perera underlined that the work agenda of the Embassy is based on Sri Lankas’ national interests and for the promotion of Sri Lanka–U.S. bilateral relations on three pillars, namely, engagement with the U.S. Government, Congress and State Administrations; Economic Diplomacy; and engagement with the Sri Lankan expatriate community.

He also highlighted that the Embassy is working with Sri Lankan and U.S. companies to increase trade, investment and tourism.  Ambassador Perera called upon the Sri Lankan expatriate community to rally around the Embassy to enhance the Sri Lanka-U.S. bilateral partnership.

A cultural programme ensued which featured several traditional dancing and drumming items performed by the children of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.  

About 120 children participated in this cultural programme, which highlighted the rich cultural diversity of Sri Lanka.