“It is incumbent on all, both present and future generations of Sri Lankans, to protect and keep united our motherland and help in its development,” Sri Lankan Ambassador Ahmed A Jawad told his countrymen at the national day celebrations held at the embassy on Saturday.

He stressed that it is the best tribute Sri Lankans could pay to the heroic men and women for their sacrifices for the cause of peace.

He said the long-term challenge is to build on the peace. “While the government has its own role, each one of us could and should help us in this giant task,” he said.

"We are people of one nation and we have to contribute our best to the socioeconomic and political developments of the country. While practicing our own religion and belonging to our own respective cultures, it is certainly possible to reach out to other communities and be of any possible assistance to them.”

While commending the services of the expatriate community in the Kingdom, he said foreign remittances from Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East had reached $2.5 billion in 2010. “A significant portion of this sum came from the 350,000 Sri Lankans working in the Kingdom.”

Saudi Arabia has the largest concentration of Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East.

Earlier, Jawad unfurled the national flag amid the beating of drums (Magul Bera). Then community members joined the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh to sing the national anthem. It was followed by the recital of Jayamangala Gatha and observance of a two-minute silence in memory of fallen national heroes.

"This was done as a mark of respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation," Jawad said. "Some members of the armed forces and the police have paid the supreme sacrifice to defend Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and our long-cherished multiparty democratic system."

The traditional oil lamp was lit by the ambassador, diplomats and prominent community members to mark the day.

Jawad, Labor Counselor Anura Muthumala and Attaché Abdul Rasheed read out the messages of President Mahinda Rajapakse in English, Sinhalese and Tamil respectively. Religious dignitaries from all faiths also prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

The ambassador distributed certificates and mementos to Sri Lankan International School students who took part in the singing of the Jayamangala Gatha.

In Jeddah, Consul General Athambawa Uthumalebbe raised the national flag at the consulate premises. A large number of expatriates in the western province were present at the morning function to meet and greet fellow Sri Lankans.

Typical Sri Lankan dishes were served to guests at both functions held in Riyadh and Jeddah. They included kiribath with katta sambol, kevum and kokis.

Founder Chairman of the Sri Lankan International School in Jeddah Shahul Hameed Saleh said his school students participated in the morning function.

M.H.M. Rafeek, president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates’ Society in Jeddah, said he is organizing a series of educational competitions for Sri Lankan students to mark the celebrations on Feb. 9 at the consulate premises.

The competitions include various contests in coloring, drawing, essay writing, speech, and spelling. These competitions are arranged for various age groups from six up to the age of 17.

“This is a great opportunity for all of us to see our children in action, where they will be able to display their natural talents, skills and creativity in the various stages of the competition,” Rafeek said. Such programs, he said, will also give them an insight into the history, social life and the culture of Sri Lanka during the preparatory stage for this competition. The society will also release a souvenir on the occasion.

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) offered a 50 percent discount on Saturday on all telephone calls to Sri Lanka from the Kingdom to enable Sri Lankan expatriates to greet their loved ones back home on their national day.