Pursuant to the recent bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in association with the Very Rev. Dr. Andreas Loewe, Dean of Melbourne of the St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne arranged a special memorial service in honour of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka on 28th April 2019 at Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne.
Her Excellency the Hon. Linda Dessau, AC, the Governor of Victoria and her Spouse Judge Anthony Howard, Hon. James Merlino, Actg. Premier of Victoria, Hon. Michael O’Brien, MP, Leader of the State Opposition, Cross Party Parliamentarians representing almost all political parties of Australia both at Federal and State level attended the service. Senator Penny Wong (Labour) represented the Federal Opposition. In addition, senior government officials, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, members of the Consular corps, Councillors and over 1000 of Sri Lankans, Australians and other nationals were also in attendance to convey the blessings to those who were killed and injured at places of worship and hotels in Sri Lanka.
Her Excellency the Hon. Linda Dessau delivered the second lesson while The Very Rev. Dr. Loewe conducted the proceedings of the service. Clergy representing all four main religions of Sri Lanka lit candles in memory of the victims.
The Hon. James Merlino, MP and Actg. Premier conveyed condolences of the State Government. Senator Penny Wong, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor Beverly Pinder-Mortimer also delivered the Peace Messages at the Service.
Mr. Prasanna Gamage, Consul General of Sri Lanka in his peace message highlighted that the importance of non-violence and love of the teaching of all religions.
