The 66th Independence Day celebrations was held at Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi with the participation of Sinhala, Tamil , Muslim and Catholic Communities and the Staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy. About 300 participants were present for the celebrations. 60 children from the Daham Pasala of Abu Dhabi affiliated to the Embassy recited the National Anthem and Jayamangala Gatha and two minutes silence was observed in memory of the war heroes.
The messages of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, Hon. D.M. Jayaratne, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Prof. G.L. Peiris, Hon. Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka were read at the beginning of the proceedings.
H.E. Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya, Ambassador addressed the gathering of Sri Lankans and stated that Sri Lanka has enjoyed freedom since 4th February 1948 which was disturbed on 03 occasions in 1971, 1988 and during the period of LTTE terrorism for 03 decades which ended in May 2009. H.E. the Ambassador further stated that due to the great leadership and vision of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka, the Government and Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Secretary, Defence and Urban Development and the great war heroes of the country, LTTE terrorism was totally defeated by humanitarian operations. It was also stated that all Sri Lankans should be very grateful to his Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka for the great victory of defeating terrorism.
Further the Ambassador stated that Sri Lanka was prospering since May 2009 and the economic development of Sri Lanka is tremendous. The Ambassador made an appeal to the Sri Lankan community stating that there are over 200 nationalities serving in the United Arab Emirates and through the friends of Sri Lankans, the message should be conveyed that all allegations made against the Government and the war heroes about violations of human rights are totally false. The Ambassador also stated that as the retired Inspector General of Police, the Ambassador was making this statement with responsibility. A traditional breakfast was served to all participants and all Sri Lankans were very happy about the celebrations of 66th Independence Day of their Motherland.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Abu Dhabi
