The Consulate General with the support of the Sri Lankan Business community living in Los Angles California organized an Economic Diplomacy program at the 71st Anniversary of the National Day reception held on February 7th 2019, at the Official Residence of the Consul General.
The Consul General, Mrs. Swarna Gunaratne delivering her speech to a packed audience of guests at the Economic Diplomacy Event held on 07th evening said that Sri Lanka is a nation with renewed optimism and sustained reforms and the path travelled was so long over 2500 year with rich cultural heritage, best agricultural and irrigation facilities, best education at no cost, healthcare with zero cost.
In her remarks, she further stated that “Sri Lanka is one of the nations that own the best photographed location in the world and emerging as a virgin destination where actual potential for expansion of tourism industry is still to be tapped”. She also mentioned that Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most sought after destinations that cannot be matched by any other nations easily and that the Institutions Sri Lanka Tourism and the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka have identified the travel and leisure sector as one of the key sectors for foreign investment and joint venture participation. She invited the US based entrepreneurs and the corporate sector investors to join with Sri Lanka to be a partner of this progress.
Speaking about the Tea Industry, she stated that The Ceylon Tea industry has become Sri Lanka’s most important industry representing the agricultural sector and accounting for about 14% of the nation’s total exports. Tea is getting increased attention globally because of its variety of health benefits. In this context, she said that she is well convinced that the Ceylon Tea is supporting economies around the world to have healthy citizens and bring down expenditure on public healthcare.
The event was attended by Christina J. Hernandez, Regional Director of Office of Foreign Missions of U.S. Department of State; Lourdes Saab, Chief of Protocol of County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, Foreign Diplomats, other US Government officials, Business leaders of Tea and Tourism sectors, Regional City Administrations, Civic Societies, Corporate sector and multi-ethnic communities living in California.
Partner Sri Lanka –Tea Tasting Event hosted by Q trade one of the leading Sri Lankan companies based in Los Angeles. David De Candia, Tea Ambassador for the Western States of the USA made a presentation about Sri Lankan Tea explaining how the Sri Lankan Government programs are designed to facilitate a symbiotic relationship between both workers and plantations and also identify needed changes within the communities. He further stated that these initiatives have impacted the improvement of the working environment, access to health care and advanced education facilities. He also, highlighted how Tea is getting increased attention globally because of variety of health benefits.
A presentation about value added sectors and services prepared by EDB screened at the event was very well received by the audience.
The Consul General was presented with Congratulatory Certificates by Lourdes Saab, Chief of Protocol of County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, and from the Representative of Mayor Eric Garcetti, Office of City of Los Angeles.
A photographic exhibition: "Noble Paradise” was featured at the event for promoting nature, history and archaeology of Sri Lanka by nature photographer and President of America Sri Lankan Photography Art Society in Los Angeles, Mr. Suriya Perera.
Concluding the event, delicious Sri Lankan food was served for about 150 guests who participated at the event. All the guests were also received with a valuable gift pack of Ceylon Tea.
The Official Ceremony of 71st Anniversary of the National Day of Sri Lanka was held at the Consul General’s Residence in the morning of February 04, 2019 with the participation of the Sri Lankan – American community living in Los Angeles. Before the Official Ceremony, Heel Dana was offered to the Buddhist Monks attended from the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara. The celebration commenced with the singing of the national anthem in Sinhala and Tamil and observance of two minutes silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation, lighting of the traditional oil lamp followed by multi faith religious observances conducted by the clergy of all four religions who blessed Sri Lanka and its people.
The National Day messages of HE the President followed by Hon Prime Minister and Hon Foreign Minister were read in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The Consul General in her speech highlighted that the prime objective of H.E, the President and the Hon. Prime Minister is to collectively commit themselves to achieve the true meaning of the freedom our motherland obtained with a new vision and renewed vigor.
The event concluded with serving of a breakfast reception to all the guests who participated at the ceremony.
Given below is the link to the article published in Los Angeles Post about the Economic Diplomacy program held at the celebration of 71st Anniversary of the National Day at the Official Residence of the Consul General
