The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore celebrated Sri Lanka’s 67th Independence Day with a ceremony in the morning at the official residence of the High Commissioner and a reception in the evening on 5th February 2015 at the Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore.
The celebration commenced at 7.30 a.m. with the hoisting of the National Flag by the Acting High Commissioner and followed by the singing of the National Anthem. A two minute silence was observed in honour of those who sacrificed their lives in the war to preserve the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.
The traditional oil lamp was lit by Mr. Vipulatheja Wishwanath Aponsu, Acting High Commissioner together with Mr. Bennet Manukularatne, President, Sinhala Buddhist Association, Singapore, Mr. Nimal Dharmasiriwardene, President, Singapore Sinhala Association, Mr. Angelo Perera, President, Singapore Sri Lanka Business Association, Mr. N. Karunakaran, President, Sri Arasakesari Sivan Temple, Mr. Eliyathambi Narasingham, Vice President, Ceylon Tamils Association, Mr. S. P. Mohan, Manager, Sri Lankan Airlines, Singapore, Mrs. Srimal Manawadu, Seva Vanitha Representative and Mrs. R Indrani Wijebandara who represented the housemaids currently employed in Singapore.
Acting High Commissioner, Wishwanath Aponsu read the National Day Message of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena in Sinhala followed by the translation in Tamil and English. The National Day Messages of Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera were also read.
Religious dignitaries representing Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam invoked blessings on Sri Lanka and its people.
The Acting High Commissioner addressed the gathering and stated that the vision of the newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena is to see the launch of a new era of peace, economic stability, democracy and prosperity where its people of different communities could live in ethnic harmony, religious tolerance and in a free and democratic society.
At the conclusion of the official program, guests numbering over 250 were invited to a traditional breakfast spread which included Kiribath, Katta Sambol, Seeni Sambol, Fish Ambul Thiyal and sweetmeats specially flown from Sri Lanka.
In the evening of 5th February 2015 a reception was hosted by the Acting High Commissioner at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Hon. Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower graced the occasion as the guest of honour. Hon. Irene Ng and Hon. Baey Yam Keng, Members of Parliament for Tampines GRC in Singapore were also present.
A notable feature this year was the singing of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka and Singapore by children of the Sri Lankan community.
Distinguished guests included H.E. Kirk W. B. Wagar, Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E. Philip Green, High Commissioner of Australia, H.E. Tanveer Akhtar Khaskheli, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mahbub Uz Zaman, High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mrs Tripathi Paramita, Acting High Commissioner of India including Ambassadors of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Uzbekistan, New Zealand, Italy, Republic of Kazakhstan, State of Kuwait, Republic of Poland, Arab Republic of Egypt, Federative Republic of Brazil, Russian Federation Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Federal Republic of Germany and other members of the diplomatic community.
Also present were Dr. Rohan Gunaratne, Professor of Security Studies, Mr. Sunil Amarasuriya, Chairman, B.P. De Silva Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore, Mr. Mustaq Ahmad Mohamed, Managing Director, Mohamed Mustafa & Samsuddin Co. Pte Ltd., Professor Ariff Bongso, Ms Sharmila Gunasingham, Managing Director, Global Law Alliance LLC, Mr. Angelo Perera, President, Singapore Sri Lanka Business Association, members of the business community and multi-religious representatives.
The Acting High Commissioner addressed the gathering where hes spoke of the special significance of the 67th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence as it sees the launch of a new era of Good Governance after the election of President Maithripala Sirisena and that Sri Lanka remain committed to its policy of Non-Alignment in our foreign relations and looking forward to greater friendship with the world community, and international relations that will support its move for peace, stability, democracy and prosperity.
Hon. Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary addressed the gathering and spoke of developments in Sri Lanka after three decades of war and concluded by congratulating the President and the people of Sri Lanka.
The Island Ballroom at the Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore entertained around 200 guests to a memorable evening with special vegetarian and chicken kottu rotti dishes among a variety of other dishes.
This event was sponsored by well-wishes of Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Singapore
16th February 2015
