Following the official ceremony held on 4th February 2019, Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore organised a Diplomatic Reception to celebrate the 71st Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka on 12th February 2019 at Shangri La Hotel in Singapore. Mr. O.L. Ameer Ajwad, Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore and Mrs. Asmiya Ajwad hosted the event.
The event was graced by Hon. Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Communications and Information as the Chief Guest and Mr. Charles Chong, Member of Parliament for Punggol East Single Member Constituency and Mr. Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representation Constituency as Guests of Honour representing the Government of Singapore. Over 300 participants representing different Ministries and Government Agencies, Diplomatic corps, business community, academia, think tanks, civil society organisations, community leaders, prominent professionals of Sri Lankan origin, and friends of Sri Lanka in Singapore showed solidarity with Sri Lanka joining this celebration.
Speaking on the occasion, Acting High Commissioner Ameer Ajwad recalled the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and Singapore, which have in recent times been reinforced with the exchange of high level visits. The Acting High Commissioner remarked that people to people contacts underpinned by cultural and kinship ties were the bedrock of the relations while also recalling key contributions made by a vibrant Sri Lankan community for Singapore's nation building. He also highlighted the immense potential for deepening economic engagement and outlined the investment opportunities unfolding with massive development projects in Sri Lanka, as well as great potential for collaboration in tourism sector.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Janil Puthucheary commented on giant strides that Sri Lanka has made in socio-economic fields in particular, over the recent years. He also expressed satisfaction over growing exchanges between the leadership, commercial entities, and other institutes such as universities as well as the linkages of people of the two countries. The Minister also emphasized that there is a huge potential for deepening economic engagement, based on the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, which he termed as the only modern and comprehensive trade agreement that Sri Lanka has entered into, and capable of bringing a vast array of economic benefits to the country. He also remarked of Singapore's interest for new areas of cooperation in science and technology, research and development involving academic and relevant institutes of the two countries.
Several prominent Singaporean companies also joined with the High Commission setting up stalls during the event to promote Sri Lanka tourism, Ceylon tea, spices, gemstones and other major Sri Lankan exports.
Chandana Wickramasinghe Dance Guild staged a variety of performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the country enthralled the audience. Delicious Sri Lankan dishes were served at the reception, adding "spice" to the event.
A special Souvenir Magazine to mark the occasion was also released and presented to the participants together with Sri Lankan souvenir gifts.
