On an invitation extended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. of the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka, Irosha Corray attended the Benefit Concert of Martinu Filharmonic Orchestra Zin and mazzosopranist Marcela Cukrova held in Prague on 01 June 2019.
The Benefit Concert was organized by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in New Delhi, M.Hovorka, the Czech Centre and Czech Caritas on 01 June 2019 at the Congress Hall, Hilton Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic for the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. It was held under the auspices of the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs of the Czech Republic, and was attended by many Ambassadors, Consuls and Honorary Consuls based in Prague, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Catholic Priests, Sri Lankan community in Prague and Czech Nationals. All proceeds of the Concert were collected through the Czech Caritas to donate to the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.
The Congress Hall of Hilton Hotel was decorated with Sri Lankan flags. It was remarkable that lady officers in the organizing committee were in sarees.
The benefit concert commenced with the national anthems of the Czech Republic and Sri Lanka. The opening welcome remarks of State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic was followed by the main speech by H.E. Mr. Karel Havlicek, Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade. While addressing the gathering on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, Chargé d' Affaires a.i. thanked the Government of Czech Republic, organizers and Czech people for the generosity and solidarity extended by organizing a benefit concert with a view to help those who survived from the attack. She further recalled the long standing bilateral ties between the two countries based on mutual understanding.
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic in New Delhi read out the Special message sent by the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, to the Government of the Czech Republic.
The musical concert was consisted of a series of Ludwig van Beethoven symphonies and Bible songs by a Czech Opera Singer. At the end of the musical evening, a portrait of a Sri Lankan elephant was unveiled on stage and bids from the audience were called.
In the closing remarks, the Czech Ambassador informed that all proceeds will be handed over to Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka by himself during his next intended visit to Colombo.
