The Sri Lanka High Commission Singapore celebrates the 73rd Independence Day celebrations with a virtual event, hosted via zoom with approximately 200 participants. The Guest of Honour at the event, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, Alvin Tan referring to the contributions made by many Sri Lankans towards the development of Singapore said that Sri Lanka was intrinsically linked to the Singapore story. He added that the two countries have found ways to continue to support each other even amidst the pandemic and said that Singaporean businesses, including SMEs, continue to show great interest in Sri Lanka’s potential.
High Commissioner Sashikala Premawardhane thanked the Government of Singapore for the support extended during the pandemic to augment Sri Lanka’s health response by donating healthcare equipment, ventilators, PPE, test kits through Temasek Foundation. She also referred to a deal that was struck with one of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel manufacturers, MAS Holdings, which produced patented Swiss technology Livinguard facemasks for use in Singapore and beyond. One million of these facemasks were donated back to Sri Lanka by Temasek Foundation for use by frontline healthcare workers and those in the fields of education and law enforcement.
The event included exposition of Sri Lanka’s culture specially curated for the event in Singapore. A beautiful dance item to demonstrate unity in diversity was performed by Smt Natyapoorna Nirmala John and Dayan Kahandawala under music direction and editing of Kalakirthi Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Dr. Arunanthy Aaruran. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Colombo and a musician of the new generation, Bhagesri Fonseka, presented an exquisite musical creation combining traditional folk tunes and indigenous singing styles, drawing inspiration from the music used for up-country Wannam style of dance. The Apsaras Arts Dance Company of Singapore presented an excerpt from their dance production “Anjasa”, performed at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in 2017. The National Anthem for the event was played by the Sri Lanka Navy band.
A video depicting Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and natural beauty was showcased with a request for Singaporean to consider travelling to Sri Lanka in 2021.
The event ended with montage highlighting children wishing Sri Lanka a happy Independence Day and showcasing their own art work on Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Singapore
08 February 2021
