A formal ceremony was held in commemoration of the 62nd Anniversary of independence on 4th February 2010 at the Office of the Consulate General. This programme included the following :
• Hoisting of the National Flag
• Playing of the National Anthem
• Religious observances
• Reading of messages of HE the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, the Consulate General, together with the Sri Lankan community, organised the Independence Day celebrations on 6th February 2010 at the Cherrybrook Community Centre, Sydney. Over 700 Sri Lankan expatriates participated at the event, irrespective of very bad weather.
Hon. Nick Berman, Lord Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, attended as the Chief Guest. Mr. Andrew Slattery, Detective Chief Inspector of the Dignitary Protection Unit of the NSW Police, and Mr. Aubrey Joachim, World President of CIMA were among the special guests.
As customary, the National Flags of Sri Lanka and Australia were unfurled by the Consul General and Mr. Mohammed Fazli, President of Sri Lanka Muslim Association. The children belonging to all communities representing Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic community, together with the Consul General, lit the oil lamp. The religious observances of major religions in Sri Lanka, namely, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian, followed by reading of messages of HE the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Following the past practice, the Sri Lanka Association organised awards for all high achievers of HSC examination and sports.
The Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (SPUR), the Sri Lanka Association and the Sri Lanka Muslim Association delivered short speeches on the value of independence and the need to be united and develop the country. Launching of the Business Directory by the Old Nalandians’ Association of NSW, and the quarterly ‘The Sinhala’ magazine added impetus to the event. This ended the first part of the programme.
After the official part of the programme, the Sinhala Cultural Forum in Sydney and the Sri Lanka Muslim Association organised a colourful cultural show depicting cultural values of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims.
Speaking to the audience, Consul General Mr. P.D. Fernando requested the community to be united and work together to provide a better future for the children. He re-iterated the need to form a Australia-Sri Lanka Business Council and reminded the need to contribute to –
1. Upgrade the Jaffna Public Library
2. ‘Uthuru Mithuru’ Yal Devi Rail Track project
3. Offer from the Consulate to assist through a special window, who could participate in the reconstruction of North and East
4. meag of a Sri Lanka Business Council
The Sri Lankan community who were present, were pleased with the arrangements and the opportunity given to celebrate this important day in Sydney.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Sydney
06-02-2010
