National Day celebrated in Riyadh

Mohammed RASOOLDEEN in Riyadh

Sri Lanka's 62nd National Day was celebrated in Riyadh with a call to the island's expatriates in Saudi Arabia to contribute to the consolidation of peace achieved following the eradication of terror in the country.

"We are people of one nation and we have to contribute our best to the socio-economic and political development of the country following the end of the 31-year-old conflict," Sri Lankan Ambassador Ahmed A Jawad told his countrymen at the National Day celebrations held at the Embassy yesterday. The envoy also launched the Uthuru Mithuru, Northern Friendship Rail Reconstruction program' during the celebrations yesterday.

Philanthropists can contribute to this program by buying a train ticket to Jaffna from Colombo for SR 40. With the contributions, the traditional Yal Devi Jaffna rail will be reintroduced to link the South and the Northern parts of the country.

The ticketholder can travel to Jaffna at any convenient time when the service is reintroduced. The estimated cost of the reconstruction project would be around $ 140 million. In response to the Ambassador's appeal, a large number of Sri Lankans purchased the ticket to show their solidarity for the Government's progressive policies. Earlier, Ambassador Jawad unfurled the National Flag amidst the beating of drums (Magul Bera). 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 Jaya Mangala Gaathaa and observance of two-minute in memory of fallen heroes.

"This was done as a mark of respect to all those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation," Jawad said. 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 multiparty democratic system.

The traditional oil lamp was lit by the Ambassador, diplomats and community members to mark the day. Ambassador Jawad, Minister Sarath Kumara and Attache A.A. Sivanathan 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.

Typical Sri Lankan dishes were served to guests at both the functions. They included kiri bath with katta sambol, kevum and kokis.

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) offered 50 percent discount on all telephone calls to Sri Lanka from the Kingdom to enable Sri Lankan expatriates to greet family members at home on their National Day.