New Delhi celebrates Lanka’s Independence and National Day

A grand reception held at the High Commission in New Delhi to celebrate this year’s Independence and National Day was attended by distinguished personalities in New Delhi and the diplomatic community. India’s Union Cabinet Minister of Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal represented the Indian Government as the chief guest.

The event included a cultural show presented by the Sri Lanka Navy Cultural Troupe and was embellished with authentic specialty Sri Lanka cuisine prepared by two chefs from Sri Lanka.

The Independence and National Day celebrations commenced on February 4 morning with the offerings of alms to the Buddhist clergy in India by the staff of the High Commission at the Residence of the High Commissioner followed by the flag hoisting ceremony with the participation of Sri Lankans living in New Delhi.

A multi-religious ceremony with the participation of the clergy of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic faiths commemorated the day and the National Day messages of the President, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister were read.

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam described the recent successful Presidential election as a yet another manifestation of the deep rooted democratic traditions in Sri Lanka and said that it was a profound expression of the will of the people to march along with an enlightened political leadership for greater progress and prosperity. Having defeated terrorism which disturbed the country for nearly three decades, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced a vision for the future to make Sri Lanka a wonder of Asia and an inclusive and free society.

Kariyawasam called upon those present to help strengthen bilateral cooperation with India and to march forward together towards greater prosperity in the region and to make Sri Lanka truly the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.