Ambassador Aryasinha tells Lankans abroad:

'Help moderate negative narratives against country'

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, called on Sri Lankans living abroad "to contribute towards moderating the negative narratives propagated against Sri Lanka by clarifying genuine concerns and debunking falsehoods."

The ambassador made these observations while addressing the 35th Independence Day celebrations attended by Sri Lankans living in Geneva and surrounding cities, at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva last week.

The event organised by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva and attended by around 250 members of the Sri Lankan community, showcased Sri Lanka's religious and cultural diversity.

Ambassador Aryasinha who noted that "these continue to be challenging times for Sri Lanka, as some, particularly living abroad, either misguided or with vested interests, continue to seek to distort the image of Sri Lanka", emphasised the need to "evolve a consensus and desist from seeking to exploit domestic issues as foreign policy issues".

He said: "Recognising that there may be differences of opinion amongst Sri Lankans on some issues, it is important for us to identify and 'bracket' issues we disagree on, as ones where we need to work harder to reconcile our disagreements internally, but at the same time not allow them to adversely affect the image of our country abroad".

Reminding that "such bracketing is something we constantly do in our daily lives - within our homes, offices and communities, where we close ranks on issues, for a higher purpose," he said that "great nations that have succeeded in forging ahead against many odds, are those that have been able to leave domestic issues at the waters edge".

The proceedings commenced with the recital of the National Anthem and the hoisting of the National Flag. Two minutes silence was later observed in honour of all those who sacrificed their lives to preserve and protect the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, Ven. Thawalama Dhammika Thero, Ven Uyanwaththe Saddarama Thero, Ven Halyale Wimalarathana Thero and Ven Kaluarachchiyagama Sumanarathana Thero conducted the Buddhist religious observances.

Uma Shankar Kurukkal and Karthik Ragavan Kurukkal performed the Hindu prayers.

Imam A M Zawahir performed the Islamic prayers, while Rev Richard Lord conducted the Christian prayers.

The 65th Independence Day message of the President was read by Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, Ambassador Nimal Karunatilake, while Management Assistant Hasan Ali read the Prime Minister's message and Deputy Permanent Representative Manisha Gunasekera read the External Affairs Minister's message.

In a colourful programme that followed, Sri Lankan children living in Geneva performed traditional Sri Lankan dance items. Binara Silva danced to the tune of Rathnadeepa Janma Boomi while Bithuthsa Sellaiah, Rageetha Sellaiah and Sinidu Welikala, performed a Bharatha Natyam'.

Second Secretary Chatura Perera delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Counsellor in Sinhala Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Management Assistant in Tamil Hasan Ali and Second Secretary in English Natasha Goonaratne were the hosts of the evening.