Mission News – Page 801 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism

“Our Resolve to Strengthen the Existing Relations with the EU and move forward remains undiminished” says Ambassador Amza at the Independence Day Reception

Speaking at the National Day Reception held on 05 February 2013, on the Occasion of the 65^th Aniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka, attended by the members of the Diplomatic Corp, officers of the Belgium Government and the European Institutions and the prominent personalities, held at the Hotel Radisson Blue Royal, Ambassador Amza stated that “Sri Lanka’s relations with the Europe is closely linked to over 400 years of European presence in Sri Lanka. The vibrant cultural, social, educational and livelihood affiliations that exists even to date, speaks volumes. As sovereign nation states, we may be taking different paths to achieve same goals of good governance, social justice, equity and stability. On that account, our resolve to strengthen the existing relations and move forward remains undiminished”.

Ambassador Aryasinha calls on Sri Lankans abroad to help moderate negative narratives propagated against Sri Lanka

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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".

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris joins in the Independence Day Celebrations of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London

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.

Sri Lanka showcased at the Annual International Tourism Mart (IMTM) in Israel.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka participated at the 19^th International Mediterranean Tourism Mart(IMTM) held on 5^th and 6^th February 2013 at the Israel Trade Fairs and Exhibition Centre in Tel Aviv in order to showcase the vast tourism potential of Sri Lanka. The IMTM Fair is the largest professional tourism Fair of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean and this year’s Fair had the participation of 40 countries.

OVERWHELMING SHOW OF SUPPORT TOWARDS SRI LANKA FROM DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN FRANCE: 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARIES ON A GRAND SCALE

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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.

Independence Day celebrations in Tokyo

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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.

65th Independence Day Celebrations at the High Commission of Sri Lanka, Dhaka

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in Dhaka celebrated the National Day at the “Sri Lanka Residence” on 4^th 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.