As part of Passport DC’s ‘Around the World Embassy Tour’, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. opened its doors for the public from 09.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday, 02 May, 2026. The Embassy made elaborate arrangements to promote Sri Lanka as a vibrant tourist destination showcasing the country's beauty, rich culture, cuisine and hospitality. As officially verified by the organizers, over 3,000 US nationals visited the Embassy during the event.
The open house launched under a special event, “Passport DC”, was organized by Events DC in partnership with over 70 foreign Missions based in Washington D.C.. Organized annually, Passport DC showcases Washington D.C.'s embassies and cultural organizations with a wide range of performances, discussions, and exhibits. Passport DC has become a popular event among Americans in the Greater Washington area (Washington D.C., State of Maryland and Northern Virginia, and surrounding metropolitan area), given the unique opportunity it provides them to enjoy diversity of foreign cultures and traditions in a single day.
As a unique feature of the event, a photographic exhibition of over 50 colorful photographs titled “Beauty of Sri Lanka” depicting the cultural heritage, natural beauty with a special emphasis on wild life and the people of Sri Lanka, was presented by the "America - Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles.
A solo photographic exhibition by Chethana Senadeera, a hearing-impaired young Sri Lankan which was organized on site also attracted many visitors.
The visitors were provided with an opportunity to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cuisine having witnessed live cooking demonstrations of Kottu Roti and Hoppers. The Embassy also offered all the visitors freshly brewed hot or iced Ceylon tea which was appreciated by the many attendees.
Traditional Sri Lankan dances including up-country, low-country, northern dancing styles and drums presented throughout the day showcased the diversity and vibrancy of the Sri Lankan culture while adding glamour to the event. The entertaining performances were provided at regular intervals by students from four local academies led by Chathuri Wickramarachchi, Lanka Mudannayake, Indika Attanayake and Achila Perera. The Sri Lankan music band “Serendib”, led by Kutila Dias, performed Sri Lankan music and songs throughout the day, supported by local Sri Lankan singers. A renowned saxophonist in the DC area D.I Senarathne, and two violinists also joined in entertaining the attendees. The performances captivated the crowd, offering a rich experience that highlighted Sri Lanka's musical heritage. Oleena Fonseka and Sara Polonnowita hosted the event.
The photo opportunity provided by the Embassy for visitors to clad in traditional Sri Lankan attire became a highlight of the event. Many Americans queued up to drape themselves in Kandyan sarees, while the men tried on vivid batik sarongs and shirts. Sri Lankan traditional handicrafts comprising wooden masks, drums, bags, batik wear, brass items, paintings, Ceylon spices and tea were on display in four separate stalls set up at the Embassy garden, sponsored by Sri Lankan-American vendors that proved another major attraction for the visitors.
The Embassy delighted the visitors with complimentary Sri Lankan milk toffees.
Voluntary support was extended by the members of Sri Lankan community-based Associations in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. The Sri Lanka Association of Washington DC, Ape Kattiya, Sri Lanka Ranga Kala Kavaya, Kala Lanka Foundation and Friends of Sri Lanka of Greater WashingtonArea helped in the smooth running of this day-long event
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C
12 May 2026
