Sri Lanka embassy in Washington hosts holiday reception

Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya hosted a reception at his official residence on December 15 to celebrate the holidays and mark a successful year of peace, reconciliation and growing prosperity in Sri Lanka.

"I would like to thank our friends in the United States government, who have been so supportive of Sri Lanka," the ambassador told the guests at his residence. "Sri Lanka now has a lasting peace, and we have had a very good year in 2011. I have great hopes for 2012 and I know the peace will last. I invite all of you to visit Sri Lanka and experience my beautiful country for yourselves," he said.

Earlier, the ambassador and staff held a Christmas reception at the embassy for the Sri Lankan-American Christian community, complete with Christmas carols. Father Percival D Silva offered a Christmas blessing and Dr. Greg Fernandopulle of the Washington area Sri Lankan-American Catholic Association gave a talk on the meaning of Christmas.

The diplomatic holiday reception was attended by members of Congress, their staff, officials from the U. S. Departments of State, Defense and Commerce, as well as several other agencies. A number of influential private individuals and business people also took part.