The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Lebanon, in coordination with the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Syrian Arab Republic, celebrated a well-attended 72nd Independence Day, under the patronage of Ambassador Shani Calyaneratne Karunaratne and Hon. Consul Dr. Mhd. Moussallam Al- Droubi, at the Cham Palace Hotel on 02 February 2020.
Ambassador Karunaratne, addressing the gathering referred to the Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Syria since 1969 and mentioned the visit of late Syrian President Hafez Al -Assad to Sri-Lanka in 1976, for the Non-Aligned conference in Colombo. Further Ambassador stated that, from December 2003, the Honorary Consulate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Syria was established in Damascus under the Honorary Consulship of Dr. Mhd. Moussallam Al- Droubi who rendered tremendous services to uphold the diplomatic ties between the two Countries.
On behalf of the Syrian Government the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expats of Syria Dr. Faisal Mekdad, addressed the gathering. He stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and bilateral relationship in various fields between the two Countries and especially referred to the appointment of an Ambassador to Syria after a lapse of 11 years. Further he pointed out to the victory achieved in 2009 by Sri Lanka against terrorism and that he considers it a victory of Syria against the same kind of enemy.
Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of Syrian Assembly, Diplomatic corps, VVIPS, Businessmen and well-wishers participated.
