60th Independence Celebrations

Bejing

The Sri Lanka community in Beijing celebrated the 60th anniversary of independence of Sri Lanka on February 4 at the residence of the Sri Lanka Ambassador with the Sri Lankan community and special invitees of the Chinese community despite the freezing weather in the capital.

The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by the Ambassador to the sounds of the traditional Magul Bera followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the attendees. The traditional oil lamp was lit and thereafter, religious observances were conducted by Ven. Athale Sumana Thera and representatives from Catholic, Hindu and Muslim faiths.

A two-minute silence was observed in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Independence and peace for the country.

The National Day message of the President was read in all three languages and the messages of the Prime Minister and Minster of Foreign Affairs was distributed among the participants.

Ambassador K. Amunugama stressed the need for unity among all Sri Lankans, irrespective of their ethnic or religious differences to bring lasting peace and progress to Sri Lanka.

He called upon the Sri Lankan community and Chinese friends in Beijing to join hands with the Embassy to strengthen the relations between the two nations.

He elaborated on the achievements that have been made during 2007 which has been a landmark year and during which, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China was celebrated.

He recalled the State visit of the President, which opened a new chapter in the Sino-Sri Lanka relations with the signing of a large number of Bilateral Agreements between the two countries. The Ambassador said that China has become one of the strongest development partners of Sri Lanka and last year alone, China has contributed in launching, US $ 1.4 billion worth of development projects.

Author celebrates Freedom Day with folktales book

Philip Fernando in Los Angeles

Author Chandrani Warnasuriya of Duarte, Los Angeles celebrated the 60th Independence of Sri Lanka by publishing Favourite Folktales of Sri Lanka. She presented her book to the Consul General Jaliya Wickramasuriya at the Independence Day pageant in Los Angeles.

The book presents a collection of well-known folk tales rendered with a flair for fluency.

Her clarity of style is flawless making the book extremely readable. She said: “As a child I remember sitting on the lap of my grandma listening to stories. A great storyteller, I could listen to her all day till she finally lulled me to sleep in a peaceful lullaby.”

Her book would be a must read for the children born and bred away from the shores of Sri Lanka. The stories selected by the author will definitely bring nostalgia to those familiar with the folklore of Sri Lanka and inspire others to read more.

She believes that children growing in the West, who miss the influence of grandparents and close relatives left behind in their homeland, grow up without a firm knowledge of customs, traditions, stories and songs that moulded the values and lifestyles of their parents and grandparents.

The stories in the collection hopefully will give young people an opportunity to learn something of their homeland. Some of the stories included are Good Prince Maname and the Wicked Princess, Heron and the Crab, Story of the Rain Drop, Two Musketeers Raigamaya and Gampolaya and Jackal’s Judgement.

Favourite Folktales of Sri Lanka, is the first Children’s Book on Sri Lankan Folktales to be listed in Bowker’s List of Children’s Books in Print.

Chandrani Warnasuriya, is an Inspirational Children’s Writer, a freelance journalist and a teacher. She has contributed to many journals, magazines and newspapers.

Her latest Non-fiction Books, Festivals, Celebrate with World Religions and Cultures, and A Child’s Approach to Popular Symbols in World Cultures will soon be published.

She hopes to illustrate and draw information from Sri Lanka in her books to help boost up Sri Lanka’s image in the field of Education.

Jeddah

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah celebrated the 60th National Day at the Crown Plaza Hotel on February 4.

Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Makkah Region, Ambassador Mohamed Bin Ahmed Tayeb was the Chief Guest and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussein A. Bhaila was the Special Guest.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, prominent Saudi businessmen and Sri Lankans living in the Western region attended the function.

The programme commenced with lighting of the oil lamp followed by the National Anthem of Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. The Consul General delivered his speech followed by the speech of the Chief Guest Ambassador Mohamed Bin Ahamed Tayeb, Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs Makkah region.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussein Bhaila addressing the gathering thanked the Saudi Officials and the Government of Saudi Arabia for the co-operation extended to him during his visit to the Kingdom.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also stated that the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to find a political solution to the ethnic crisis solely for the acceptance for all Sri Lankans while defeating the terrorism.

He said the entire Eastern Province was liberated from the clutches of LTTE terrorists and brought real freedom for those in the Eastern Province.

It is because of the visionary policies of the President, Sri Lanka is progressing in every field of development, while encountering terrorist element in the country.

The Deputy Minister praised the Consul General and Consulate staff for organising the celebration after a lapse of seven years.