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National Day celebrations in Saudi Arabia

by Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh

The new Sri Lankan ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar said that his country's National Day this year, will be celebrated with a difference. He was speaking to the prominent members of his community at a meeting convened by him, Thursday, to spell out the detailed programs for this year's National Day which falls on February 4, Monday.

Among the others who were present included the country manager of the SriLankan Airlines, Fayaz Thaha, the president of the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society (SLES) Nihal Gamage, the principal of the Sri Lankan International School S.H.M. Jameel and the senior diplomats of the Sri Lankan mission here.

Speaking on the occasion, the ambassador said that the National Day celebrations is considered a major event for any country, hence he would like to celebrate the occasion in a fitting manner with the support and cooperation of the community members in all parts of the Kingdom.

He said that the mission in Riyadh will have a morning program for the community members and an evening reception at a five star hotel for the members of the diplomatic community and for the key officials of the government and non-governmental organizations in the Kingdom.

The morning function will start with the unfurling of the island's national flag followed by the reading of the messages from the country's president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kuamratunga, the prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the foreign minister Tyronne Fernando in English, Sinhalese and Tamil by the ambassador, second secretary S.G. Ratnayake and head of chancery Amir Ajwad respectively.

The school choir of the Sri Lankan International school are slated to sing the national anthem and the Jaya Mangala Gatha, during the function. Arrangements have also been made by the mission to organize religious ceremonies of all there major communities of the island for the peace and prosperity of the country.

Traditional Sri Lankan delicacies such as Kiribath, Kevun, Kokis and Mung Kevun will be served to the guests. Ambassador said that he would like to create a Sri Lankan atmosphere in the embassy on this auspicious day of the country for his countrymen to get into a festive mood.

In Riyadh, the SLES has already made arrangements to host public reception to the Sri Lankan community at the embassy premises on February 6. The ambassador will be the chief guest for the occasion. In Dammam the Sri Lankan Expatriates Association (SLEA) will also host a function on Thursday, February 7, with Ansar as the chief guest.

In Jeddah, the Consul General, A. C. M. Ibrahim has made all arrangements for his community members to celebrate the occasion at his mission on February 4.

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