Celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of Independence world-wide

In Melbourne

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne with the assistance of the Sri Lankan expatriate community and the State Government of Victoria has organised an event in the evening of 4 February 2018 at the Kingston City Hall, Moorabbin, Melbourne. 

After the singing of the national anthem in Sinhala and Tamil and observance of two minutes silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the  nation.  

Hon. Philip Dalidakis, Member of Parliament, Victorian Minister for Trade & Investment, Innovation & the Digital Economy, Small Business represented the Premier of Victoria while Hon. Inga Peulich, Member of Legislative Council, Shadow Minister for  Multicultural Affairs, represented the Leader of the Opposition of the Victorian Parliament who proffered felicitations of the Government and the Opposition to Sri Lanka and its people. A video message by the Premier of Victoria congratulating Sri Lanka and its people on this important anniversary was also relayed to the audience.

Hon. Bruce Atkinson, the President of the Legislative Council of Victoria (Upper House of the State Parliament), Hon. Dr Samantha Ratnam, Member of Legislative Council and Leader of the Victorian Greens, Mr. Jude Perera, Member of Parliament and a number of other political dignitaries of Victoria, Mayors and City Councillors, Senior Government Officials, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, University Academics and members of the Consular Corps were in attendance at the event.

The event was the splendid with cultural performances, presented before the 700-strong audience depicting the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka which wasperformed by children of Sri Lankan origin in Melbourne. 

In Canberra

Meanwile the High Commission in Canberra celebrated the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence with the participation of over 300 guests from the Sri Lankan community.  

High Commissioner Somasundaram Skandakumar paid tribute to the Venerable Medauyangoda Dhammawimala Thero of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara, Canberra for his wonderful message on national unity. 

Addressing the audience, the High Commissioner said “If I was asked what  the most significant lesson that we learnt from the 70 years I would unhesitatingly say that No country can ever hope to achieve the true potential of its Independence if that Independence does not embrace each of its citizens equally”. 

A photo exhibition depicting events of significance in Sri Lanka Australia relations spanning 70 years on display at the Chancery featured at the event as well. 

In China, Hong Kong & Mongolia

The 70th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka was celebrated at the premises of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing with the participation of more than 200 Sri Lankans living in China, a delegation of senior officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry headed by Hon. Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China and Venerable Buddhist monks from Lingguan Temple, Beijing and other priests. The Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China Mr. Sivanka Dhanapala also attended the event.

The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku,  Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China.  

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador stressed the importance of commemorating all the heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the motherland. Further, the Ambassador acknowledged the cooperation and assistance extended by the Government of China, its corporate sector, and its people to develop the Sri Lankan nation.
 
As per the guidelines issued by the Embassy, the Honorary Consulates of Sri Lanka in Hong Kong and Mongolia also celebrated the 70th Anniversary of Independence with the participation of Sri Lankan community and respective government officials.

More than twenty prominent Chinese media institutions gathered to cover the event and CCTV telecast  the event live.   

In Jeddah

Sri Lanka Consulate General in Jeddah also celebrated the 70th Independence Day of Sri Lanka at the Consulate premises with the participation of the Sri Lankan community living in Jeddah.

Consul General Mr. A.W.A. Salam addressed the gathering and distributed gifts and certificates to the children who participated in the essay competition and oratory competition held at Sri Lankan International School in Jeddah.