The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Vienna celebrated the 76th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka on 4 February 2024 with the participation of Sri Lankan community in Austria and in countries to which the Embassy is concurrently accredited, namely, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador and Permanent Representative M.R.K. Lenagala followed by the singing of the national anthem, observing of two minutes silence to pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives in achieving independence, lighting of the traditional oil lamp and the invoking of blessings on the government and the people of Sri Lanka by religious dignitaries representing all four major faiths in Sri Lanka.
Independence Day messages of the President, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were read in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Addressing the gathering Ambassador Lenagala invited everyone to contribute to the endeavours undertaken by Sri Lanka to reinstate stability and growth. While briefing about the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs (OOSLA), he invited the young generations of the community of Sri Lankan origin to remain engaged with Sri Lanka and contribute to enhance, in particular, people to people contact.
Members of Nartakah Dancing Academy in Vienna performed a traditional dance.
The attendees were served with Sri Lankan refreshments at the conclusion of the event.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Vienna
06 February 2024
