RIYADH, 5 February 2007 — Sri Lankan nationals celebrated their country’s 59th Independence Day anniversary in a grand manner yesterday beginning with ceremonial functions at the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate general in Jeddah.
In Riyadh, the island’s Ambassador A.M.J. Sadiq hoisted his country’s national flag before a representative community gathering comprising expatriates from all walks of life.
The community members joined the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in singing the national anthem. This was followed by the rendition of Jayamangala Gatha. Prominent members of the community lit the traditional oil lamp together with the ambassador to begin the ceremonial event.
Describing the Independence Day as an important event in the annals of the island’s history, Ambassador Sadiq said the mission has beefed up its activities according to Mahinda Chintanaya which is being strictly pursued by the government.
According to a recent presidential directive issued to all missions, every Wednesday has been designated a public day at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh. “It would provide a good opportunity for the expatriates to meet the embassy officials including the ambassador without prior appointment.”
Enumerating a wide range of assistance offered by the Kingdom, the envoy thanked the Saudi government and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the continuous support and friendship shown toward the island. The Kingdom is home to more than 500,000 Sri Lankans.
Recent developments in Sri Lanka, he said, have given a renewed hope and encouragement to look forward to the dawn of an era of sustainable peace and prosperity.
“The emerging political consensus, which is backed by strong support of the civil society for a negotiated political settlement of the conflict in the north and the east and the successful conclusion of the Sri Lanka Development Forum held in Galle last week, reinforce this sense of optimism.”
At this forum, he said, the international donor community pledged $4.5 billion for the country’s economic development program He pointed out that the two-minute silence observed yesterday was to remember the country’s national heroes who laid down their lives for Sri Lanka to emerge as a free nation after 450 years of foreign rule.
“Some members of the three armed forces and the police have paid the supreme sacrifices to defend Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and our long-cherished multiparty democratic system,” he added.
Independence Day messages of President Mahinda Rajapakse, Premier Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogallagama were read out in all three languages by diplomats of the mission.
In Jeddah, Consul General Masihudeen Inamullah unfurled the island’s flag at the consulate premises. More than 200 community members, including students from the Sri Lankan International School in Jeddah were present at the morning function.
Typical Sri Lankan dishes were served to the guests at the functions. They included kiribath with Katta sambo, kevum and kokis.
