The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka in Manila on 4 February 2023.
The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag followed by the observance of two minutes of silence in remembrance of all who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
The traditional oil lamp was lit by the FoGuang Shan Mabuhay Temple Ven. Neng Guan and Ven. Zhi Min, National Shrine of Our Lady of Gaudalupe Rev. Fr. Maximus Pushpakumara, Hindu Priest Rev. Achaarya Prem Shankaran and Tirth, National Coordinator of the Imam Council of the Philippine Imam Akmad B. Wahab Alhaj, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines P.G.P. Kaushalya, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Mindanao William T. Chen and some members of the Sri Lankan community. The multi-faith religious rites were conducted in accordance with Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Roman Catholic practices, to invoke blessings to the occasion.
The Independence Day messages of the President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister were read in Sinhala, English and Tamil.
Charge d’Affaires a.i. P.G.P. Kaushalya address the gathering and highlighted the friendly and mutual diplomatic relations between the two countries and the way forward to further strengthen the linkages.
One of the highlights of the event was the screening of Sri Lanka’s cultural and tourism promotion videos to entertain the guests.
In addition, a token from FoGuang Shan Mabuhay Temple was handed over to the Embassy during the event.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the national anthem in Tamil and distributing a token of appreciation among the participants.
The event was attended by the Sri Lankan community in the Philippines, various religious communities, representatives from the Colombo Plan Staff College, Filipino travel agents and well-wishers of Sri Lanka, and several members of the media.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila
07 February 2023
