Lankans in Saudi celebrate independence in grand style

MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN in Riyadh

Sri Lankans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia look forward to permanent peace back home for them to work at ease in Saudi Arabia, said Abdul Ageed Mohamed Marleen, Sri Lankan Ambassador when he was delivering his opening remarks at the 61st Independence Day celebrations held in Riyadh yesterday.

“Sri Lankan expatriates in the Kingdom want their families to live peacefully in Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapksa has assured that he would restore permanent peace so that all the ethnic groups in the island could lead a normal life without any fear from terror,” the envoy said ,adding that violence in any form should be condemned at all costs.

He pointed out that the Sri Lankans in the Kingdom have set an example to be emulated by others in their motherland for living in unity and amity.

The Ambassador with his wife Fathima Marleen hosted a breakfast morning to all Sri Lankans in Riyadh following the ceremonial flag hoisting ceremony. He unfurled the national flag amids the beat of drums (Magul bera) at the embassy premises. Then the community members joined the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh to recite the National Anthem.

It was followed by the recital of Jayamangala Gatha and observance of two-minute silence by the audience in memory of fallen heroes. “This was done as a mark of respect to all those who had laid their lives for the sake of the nation towards maintaining peace,” Ambassador Marleen said.

The traditional oil lamp was lit by the Ambassador and prominent community members to mark the day. Saprullah Khan, First Secretary, Yasantha de Silva Commercial Secretary and Labour Counsellor Ranawake read out the messages of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during the morning function. Religious dignitaries from all faiths also prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

In the evening, ambassador and his wife Fathima Marleen hosted a dinner reception at the Tuwaiq Palace in Diplomatic Quarter.

The mission also published a special five-page colour supplement in Arab News, the leading English newspaper in the Middle East with the messages from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Ambassador Marleen, the special issue carried articles on the island’s investment, tourism, tea, gems and Saudi- Sri Lanka relations. Yasantha de Silva, Commercial Secretary of the mission was coordinating with functions related to the special publication.

On Thursday, the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society, (SLES), in association with the mission, will host a reception to the members of the community. “We have organized a cultural show followed by dinner hosted by the society,” SLES President SAM Rasdeen said.

In Jeddah, Consul General

Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer hoisted the national flag at the consulate premises. Traditional Sri Lankan dishes such as kiribath, kevun, kokis and mung kevun were served during the morning functions in Riyadh and Jeddah. In the evening, the Consul General and his wife Rifaya Lafeer hosted a dinner to the members of the diplomatic community and government officials at the Jeddah Intercontinental Hotel.