RIYADH, 5 February 2006 — Sri Lanka’s 58th National Day in the Kingdom was celebrated with a call to the island’s expatriates in the Kingdom to contribute to the economic development of their country.
“It is the duty of Sri Lankans residing in the Kingdom to work for the economic progress of their country,” the island’s Ambassador A.M.J. Sadiq told his countrymen at the function to mark the anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence at the embassy, here yesterday.
Sadiq said the forthcoming direct talks between the government and the LTTE in Geneva have given fresh hopes for peace in Sri Lanka. “This is an ideal opportunity for people to invest in various projects in the island,” he stressed. “Sri Lankans could be goodwill ambassadors in the Kingdom to attract more Saudi investments for viable projects in Sri Lanka.”
He said his government launched yesterday foreign currency denominated Government Bonds giving an opportunity for overseas Sri Lankans to contribute to nation-building efforts. The entire proceeds of the bond issue will be utilized for infrastructure development of the country. The initial issue to the value of $25 million will be issued to Sri Lankans who are resident overseas and those who work abroad and earn foreign exchange, the ambassador added .
Earlier, the ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by the ambassador and the singing of the national anthem by the choir of the Sri Lankan International School, Riyadh. Two minutes’ silence was observed in memory of national heroes who had struggled for freedom as well as the members of the armed forces who had laid down their lives to protect the country’s sovereignty. Following multifaith observances, the National Day messages of the president, prime minister and foreign minister were read.
First Secretary W.S.M.S. Wijesundera read the message of President Mahinda Rajapakse in Sinhalese while M.B.M. Zarook, labor welfare officer, read in Tamil and Commercial Secretary P.A.S. Ponnamperuma in English. Religious scholars from all faiths prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation. The traditional oil lamp was lit by the anbassador and prominent members of the community representing all walks of life. Gamini Jayasekera, Sellacuddy Murugadas, A.S.M Nishtar and Niron Dissanayake delivered religious discourses to invoke the blessings of God for the good of the nation.
In the evening , the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society, SLES, in Riyadh hosted a reception. “This is our annual get-together where Sri Lankans in the Kingdom meet and greet one another on this auspicious day,” SLES President A.S.M. llyas said.
In Jeddah, Consul General Masihudeen Inamullah hoisted the national flag at the consulate to mark the occasion. The program ended with the serving of traditional Sri Lankan dishes .