Sri Lankans marked their 66th Independence Day in the Kingdom on Tuesday with a call for its nationals to unify and develop their country.

Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, Sri Lankan ambassador in Saudi Arabia, said the country’s workers in the Middle East sent home $2.5 billion in 2010.

“A significant portion of this sum came from the 350,000 Sri Lankans working in the Kingdom,” he said.

Around one-third of Sri Lanka’s 1.5 million overseas workers live in the Kingdom, he said.

Krishnamoorthy unfurled the national flag to the beating of drums followed by the singing of the national anthem by members of the community and the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh.

This was followed by the recital of Jayamangala Gatha, a religious song, and a moment of silence for the country’s fallen heroes.

“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 multi-party democratic system,” he said.

He lit a traditional oil lamp to mark the beginning of the National Day celebrations in the Kingdom and called for unity among all communities on the island. “It is incumbent on all, both present and future generations of Sri Lankans to protect and keep our motherland united and help in its development.” He said Sri Lanka has close economic ties with the Kingdom, with many high-level visits planned this year.

He thanked Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for granting workers time to rectify their status.

“I am happy to note that over 100,000 expatriates changed their professions and that about 15,000 Sri Lankans left the Kingdom without facing any penalties. It also enabled those who returned to Sri Lanka to reapply for jobs and return to the Kingdom in the future, benefiting the Sri Lankan and Saudi Arabian labor markets.”

He said the embassy provides consular services for Sri Lankan expatriates in the Eastern Province and plans to expand to Hail this year. He said Sri Lankan Airlines has increased flights to the Kingdom to attract more tourists and provide more options for its workers. Last year, 23,000 Saudis visited the island, he said.

Siripala Gamanpilla, second secretary, Uthuma Lebbe Niyas, deputy head of the mission, and Krishnamoorthy read out messages from President Mahinda Rajapakse in Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Religious dignitaries from all faiths also prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

The ambassador also distributed certificates and mementos to the students of the Sri Lankan International school.

In Jeddah, Adambawa Uthumalebbe, the consul general, hoisted the national flag at the consulate premises. More than 300 expatriates were present at the morning function to greet fellow Sri Lankans.

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

Uthumalebbe said the nation needs modern infrastructure such as ports, highways and power plants, and the latest trends in industry, commerce, trade and education.

He said independence means to have freedom of speech and faith, and a good standard of living.

He said that the migrant community can play a pivotal role in the development of the country’s infrastructure. “I take this opportunity to urge the Sri Lankan community in the western region to continue their efforts in promoting the beautiful image of our country in the Arab world as an attractive tourism and investment region,” he said.

He said that in honor of migrant workers, the president declared Dec. 18 “Migrant Workers Day.” He said the consulate helped Sri Lankan workers rectify their status and repatriated 13,000 with the cooperation of the Saudi authorities.