Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has called on Sri Lankans living abroad "to contribute towards moderating the negative narratives propagated against Sri Lanka – by clarifying genuine concerns and debunking the falsehoods".
Professor G.L. Pieris, Minister of External Affairs who graced the High Commission’s Independence Day Celebration delivered a seminal address on the Country’s progress in the post-conflict era, highlighting the tremendous challenges and constraints Sri Lanka had faced, and the remarkable progress it had achieved, in particular in rehabilitation, demining, livelihood development, infrastructure development, education and capacity building. Professor Pieris also highlighted the recent Independence Day celebration in Trincomalee, and the significant programme of investment and infrastructure development taking place in the North and East.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris along with the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO organized a large diplomatic reception at the Embassy premises on Tuesday, 5th February 2013.
The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai has reported that a mob of around 15 people , carrying iron rods, wooden sticks and knives had entered the office of the Bank of Ceylon Branch at Poonamallee High Road in Chennai at 1.30 p.m. on 7th February 2013. The mob had overpowered two police personnel and a security guard of a private company manning the gate of the premises, smashed the window panels of the security room of the Bank of Ceylon Office and the glass doors of the ATM centre and had injured a staff member of the Bank and caused cut injuries to a trainee .
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo commemorated the 65th anniversary of Independence at the Reiyukai hall in Tokyo on Monday 4th February, amidst a large gathering of Sri Lankan expatriates and Japanese officials including Hon. Yasuo Fukuda, Former Prime Minister of Japan who graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the ceremony.
The Sri Lanka High Commission in Dhaka celebrated the National Day at the “Sri Lanka Residence” on 4th February 2013.
The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by High Commissioner Sarath K. Weragoda, amidst the beating of Magul Bera witnessed by Sri Lankan Military officers undergoing training in Bangladesh led by Brigadier A. Kariyakarawana from National Defence College and a large gathering of the Sri Lankan Community including children from Sri Lanka School in Dhaka. Two-minutes of silence was observed in honour of the National Heroes of Sri Lanka, followed by multi-religious observances, conducted by the clergy representing Buddhists, Hindus, Islam and Christians.
