The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Norway celebrated the 66th National Day of Sri Lanka on 4th of February in Oslo at the Ambassador’s Residence. The National Day event organized for the Sri Lankan expatriate community began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Ambassador Musthafa M. Jaffeer, Prof. Harsha Ratnaweera, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Norway, Mrs. Nirmala Eidsgard, President of the Tisarana Sri Lankan Buddhist Association, Mrs. Renuka Wjesekara, President of Sri Lanka Friends Foundation of Norway, Mr. Sinniah Suntharasigamany, Committee member of the Sri Lanka Friends Foundation of Norway and Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. C.V. Rajapaksa. The event was followed by the hoisting of the National flag and singing the National Anthem of Sri Lanka. Two minutes silence was observed by those present in respect for the national heroes of our Motherland. The religious ceremony representing all four faiths to confer blessings for our Nation and its people were conducted by Ven. Marathugoda Manirathana Thero, Chief Priest of the Oslo Buddhist Vihara, Shri Nitheyanantha Sarma, Chief Priest of Sri Kanapathi Durga Temple, Oslo, Mohammed Azmil Macksood and Rev. Father Sigmund Akselsen of the Grefsen Church, Oslo. At the conclusion of religious events, Ambassador Jaffeer read out the National Day message of H.E the President. After the conclusion of the formal event, a reception was held for the Sri Lankan community members in which traditional Sri Lankan cuisine items were served. Miss. Yuhasinee Shankkar and Miss. MadhangiShankkar entertained the guests with their delightful Bharatanatyam performance while Mrs Ajantha Karunarathna provided a musical rendition for guests. The Embassy also organized a reception in the afternoon for the diplomatic community and Norwegian dignitaries which was attended by a large number of government officials, Think Tanks, Parliamentarians and Business community.
The Sri Lanka Association of Norway (SLAN) also organized a National Day Celebrations event on 08th February 2014 at which the President of SLAN and the Ambassador addressed the gathering. The audience was treated to a delightful cultural performance by children and artists of the expatriate Sri Lankan community. After a lottery, Sri Lankan food was served to all present and the cultural performance with song and dance continued through the night.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Oslo
10th February 2014
