Independence Day celebrations:

‘Maintain unity, work for development’

Mohammed Rasooldeen from Riyadh

Sri Lanka’s 65th Independence Day was celebrated in Saudi Arabia yesterday with a call to its expatriates to maintain unity and work for the development of the country.

Charge d’ Affaires of the Sri Lankan embassy in Saudi Arabia D Siripala Gamanpilla commended the services of the expatriates community in Saudi Arabia for their contribution to the country’s national coffers. He said foreign remittances from Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East had reached $ 2.5 billion in 2010. A significant portion of this sum came from the 550,000 Sri Lankans working in the Kingdom, he said.

Gamanpilla said members of the armed forces and the Police paid the supreme sacrifice to defend Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and multiparty democratic system.

He said “It is incumbent on all, both present and future generations of Sri Lankan to protect the unity and help development. It is the best tribute Sri Lankans could pay for the sacrifices made by those heroic men and women,who ended the conflict.”

He said the mission is going on to project Sri Lanka as an ideal tourist destination for Saudi families and for other migrant workers in the Kingdom.

The Navy accorded the nation a 25 gun salute at the Light House in Colombo Fort yesterday at 12.00 noon to mark the 65th Independence Day. The traditional 25 gun salute, the highest of its kind, is accorded by the Navy to the nation on the Independence Day. Here, The Navy salutes the nation on the 65th anniversary of its independence and honours the Heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the Motherland under the command of Commanding Officer Captain N.S.A.Suraweera. Picture by Kithsiri Bhagrawa.

North Central Provincial Council Members and the Members of the Anuradhapura Municipal Council jointly celebrated the 65th Independence Day by paying floral tributes to former Prime Minister D S Senanayake. Picture by Amila Prabath Wanasinghe

The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai celebrated the 65th Independence Day with the participation of Deputy High Commissioner O L Amil Ajval and Sri Lankans domiciled in India. Here, the invitees lighting the oil lamp. Picture by S.Thilainadan in Chennai

One hundred and fourteen prisoners were released from the Anuradhapura Prison to mark the 65th Independence Day. Here, prisoners walking out of the prison. Picture by Amila Prabath Wanasinghe.