Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait organized a glorious event to mark the 71st anniversary of independence at Hayat Regency Hotel in Kuwait city on 7 February 2019. Representing the Government of Kuwait, His Excellency Fahad Ali Zaied Al Shoula Minister of Islamic Affairs & Acting Minister of Public Works graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Around 450 guests composed of Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, 85 Kuwait based Ambassadors, Authorities of Interior and Labour Ministries, Secretary General of Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Diplomats of UN Agencies, Members of International Women’s Group, Prominent community members and media representatives were present.
Following the traditional norms of lighting of the oil lamp by the dignitaries and presentation of the National Anthems of both Kuwait and Sri Lanka, Ambassador His Excellency Kaandeepan Balasubramaniam, a senior Foreign Service Member addressed the gathering.
In his remarks, the Head of Mission offered congratulations to the Sri Lankan community whilst appreciating the contributions of over 120,000 Sri Lankans based in Kuwait to their motherland.
The Chief Envoy appreciated the cooperation of the Government of Kuwait as he reminisced over the past one year of remarkable achievements. The top Diplomat underlined the importance of intensifying high level visits of the leaders in order to infuse a greater and deeper economic and commercial contents in to the bilateral relations to sustain the ties. Ambassador extended his warmest congratulations to the Kuwati community as they observe in the month of February the13th anniversary of His Highness the Emir’s ascendance, the 58th anniversary of the National day and the 28th Anniversary of liberation day of Kuwait.
Further, Ambassador underscored the importance of the role the Culture plays as an effective soft power in the business of Diplomacy and the need to promote Cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Ambassador Kaandeepan expressed profound satisfaction over the progress achieved in economic, commercial, Political and cultural spheres.
He extended his special thanks to His Excellency Khalid Nasser Al-Roudan, the Minister of Commerce and industry of Kuwait for hosting the trade committee meeting recently.
Grabbing the rare opportunity, Ambassador in his speech made an announcement of Sri Lanka’s commitment to hosting the 18th Conference of State Parties of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a.k.a CITES, this year in Sri Lanka and invited Governments, through the Envoys and Diplomatic agents present to take part in the CITES Cop -18. The official video footage of CoP 18 was flashed during his remarks.
Acknowledging the role of Kuwait, The Head of Mission appreciated the efforts of His Highness the Emir at reassuring peace, safety and security in the Middle East and expressed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with Kuwait towards this endeavor.
The crest of the Gala event were the cultural show performed by “ Ehalepola Cultural Troupe” flown in from Colombo. Additionally a fashion show organized by the Mission portrayed different costumes of Sri Lanka’s secular Society.
Guests were refreshed with the signature “Ran Thambily” brought from Sri Lanka on arrival and with authentic Sri Lankan Cuisine featuring the unique spices of Sri Lankan following the show.
Apart from the Diplomatic reception hosted at the Hotel, the Embassy also organized a dedicated cultural show on the 9th for Sri Lankans lives in Kuwait that attracted over three hundred Community members.
