National Day celebrations around the world

National Day celebrations in United Kingdom

Acting High Commissioner P M Amza addressing the gathering.

Acting High Commissioner P M Amza invited Sri Lanka's friends in the international community to join hands with Sri Lanka in its rebuilding endeavours, at a luncheon reception hosted by the High commission, for the London based Diplomatic Corps, British Members of Parliament and Government officials at the High Commission premises, to mark the 63rd National Day.

This well attended Diplomatic Reception followed the flag hoisting ceremony held in the High Commission with the participation of Sri Lankan expatriates, British friends and well-wishers on February 4.

The British rule in Sri Lanka started in 1796 and ended on the 4th of February 1948, when Sri Lanka regained independence.

Acting High Commissioner addressing the gathering said: "Sri Lanka's relationship with the United Kingdom is deep rooted and multi-faceted. British influence is still seen in many aspects of social life and infrastructure in contemporary Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka's political relationship with the UK has seen its ups and downs, but the friendship is time-tested. Our economic relations have continued to flourish. UK is the second largest export market, the fourth largest investor and the second largest tourism generating country, for Sri Lanka."

Independence celebrated in Washington

The 63rd Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka celebration was held at the University of the District of Columbia Feb. 5, 2011, an event that featured traditional Sri Lanka dances and songs and appearances by notable diplomats and government officials.

Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Robert Blake, as well as the Vincent Gray, Mayor of Washington, D.C., and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama each offered congratulatory remarks to a sold-out audience at the UDC auditorium, highlighting the end of Sri Lankas conflict against terrorism and its 63rd year of independence.

For Gray, it was the first time that he had attended a Sri Lanka Independence Day. Aderholt spoke as co-chairman of the Congressional Sri Lanka Caucus. Asst. Secretary of State Blake previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Asst. Secretary of State Blake stated that he was appearing on behalf of President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He spoke of Sri Lankas reconciliation efforts, and his own time spent as U.S. ambassador in Sri Lanka, "where my family and I developed many friendships."

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Wickramasuriya recognized the strong relations between the U.S. and Sri Lanka, as well as the positive results of the re-development policies of His Excellency Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka is a nation moving forward, Ambassador Wickramasuriya said. We are redeveloping areas affected by the conflict with the support of the international community, including the United States.

National Day Celebrations in Canada

Canadian High Commissioner Chithraganee Wagiswara hoisting the National Flag.

Traditional oil lamp being lit by the High Commissioner

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa together with the Sri Lankan expatriate community commemorated the 63rd Anniversary of the National Day in Ottawa, Canada on February 6, 2011.

The official program commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by the High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara followed by a multi-faith religious observances by the Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian priests to invoke blessings for peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka.

Following the reading of the message of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, greetings of the Canadian Government were conveyed by Kenneth Macartney, Director General, South Asia & Pacific Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Senator Mac Harb and Member of the House of Commons John McKay also addressed the audience briefly to convey their greetings. Referring to the President's message, the High Commissioner in her address spoke of the two main challenges facing the country - the development of the economy and the need to consolidate peace.

She called upon the expatriate community living in Canada to shed any differences and unite so that they could contribute to the greater prosperity and peace in their Motherland.

At the function, the High Commissioner also made an appeal for contributions for the flood victims in Sri Lanka and received a sum of C$ 1551.30. Pledges were also received upto a sum of C$ 345.00. The collection will be transferred to the Disaster Management Centre in Colombo in due course.

The official segment of the program was followed by a cultural show. The children from the expatriate Sri Lankan community living in Ottawa participated in the cultural performance trained by Sri Lankan teachers.

Independence Day celebrations in Bangladesh

The 63rd Anniversary of Sri Lanka's Independence was celebrated in Dhaka at the Sri Lanka High Commissioner's Residence on February 4, 2011 in three segments.

The first segment consisted the hoisting of the National Flag by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Sarath Kumara Weragoda took place amid the beating of Magul Bera witnessed by a large gathering of the Sri Lankan community.

Clergy representing Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians along with the Sri Lankan military officers on training in Bangladesh, were also a part of this ceremony.

This was followed by the playing of the National Anthem, lighting of the traditional Oil Lamp and reciting Jaya Mangala Gatha.

A two-minute silence was observed in honour of the National Heroes of Sri Lanka followed by religious observances carried out by the respective clergy.

The President's Independence Day Message was read out in Sinhala, Tamil and English followed by the High Commissioner's address.

A Reception was hosted for the Diplomatic Corps at the same venue. Among the other dignitaries were the former Banglashi President, Chiefs of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force. The Bangladeshi Government was represented by Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira as Chief Guest and his wife.

Welcoming the gathering, Weragoda said that the country is rapidly moving towards making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.