RIYADH/JEDDAH, 5 February 2005 — The Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom celebrated their country’s 57th Independence Day yesterday in an austere manner dedicating the day to the tsunami victims of the island.
The country’s national flag was unfurled by the Sri Lankan Ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar with the singing of the national anthem in the midst of a distinguished crowd of the members of the community. It was followed by a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to those who succumbed to the killer waves of Dec. 26.
The envoy read out the messages of President Chandrika Kumarartunga, Premier Mahinda Rajapakse and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in English, while the same messages were delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil by Second Secretary Piyadasa Ranawake and Labor Welfare Officer M.B.M.Zarook, respectively.
“While paying homage to those who died in the tsunami, let us resolve on this day to support and assist the survivors to give them a new lease of life,” Ambassador Ansar said, thanking the Saudi government, nongovernmental organizations, Sri Lankan expatriates and well-wishers for their spontaneous help for the tsunami victims.
The Saudi government sent five planeloads of relief materials to Sri Lanka while the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank and the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) donated $200,000 through the Islamic Center and Saudi Arabia’s mission in Colombo, respectively. Sri Lankan expatriates in Riyadh and Dammam contributed over SR500,000 in cash and an equivalent amount of relief goods to the Sri Lanka Embassy’s tsunami fund.
The theme of the day being “National Unity”, Ansar pointed out that it was heartening to note that both Sri Lankans living in the home country and abroad shed all differences to help those who were afflicted with tsunami. “This was an encouraging sign to forge ahead as a nation,” he said .
Quoting President Chandrika, Ansar said: “Let us unite with those who we consider our enemies as well as with our friends in order that we rebuild our nation into a modern progressive, yet, Sri Lankan nation state,”.
The lighting of the traditional oil lamp was followed by speeches by religious dignitaries to invoke the blessings of God for the peace and prosperity of the country. “Jayamangala Gatha” was sung by the students from the Sri Lankan International School. Typical Sri Lankan delicacies such as kiribath, kevun, kokis and mung kevun were served at the end of the function.
In Jeddah, Consul General A.M.J. Sadiq hoisted the national flag at a community celebration held at the consulate.
The meeting began with the observance of a moment’s silence in memory of the national heroes of the independence movement and members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the island state, and also for the thousands who lost their lives in the tsunami disaster. Sri Lankan International School-Jeddah children presented patriotic songs, accompanied by the Western Band of the school.
The national day messages were read by P.S. Pathiratne, third secretary (labor), Labor Welfare Officer M.H. S. Kamal and the consul general. Sadiq said the response from the community to the consulate’s call for contribution to the tsunami relief fund had been overwhelming. “Tsunami victims need more help and continue sending contributions to the consulate,” he said.
