The Acting High Commissioner, Miss Shashikala Premawardhana, Mr David Harris MP, Parliament Secretary for Health, Lord Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council Mr Nick Berman, Dr Geoffrey Lee and Kevin Conolly, Liberal Candidates respectively for Parramatta and Riverstone 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 Acting High Commissioner, Miss Premawardhana and the Consul General, lit the oil lamp. The religious observances of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity were followed by reading messages of HE the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of External Affairs.
Consul General Mr. P.D. Fernando addressing the gathering requested the community to be united and work together to provide a better future for the children. Following past practice, the Sri Lanka Association organised awards for all achievers of HSC examination in 2010 and sports. The Sinhalese Cultural Forum organised awards for recipients of the Minister's award for Excellence in Student Achievement – Community Languages 2010.
The Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (SPUR), and the Sri Lanka Association delivered short speeches on the significance of independence and the need to be united and develop the country.
The Sinhala Cultural Forum in Sydney and the Sri Lanka Muslim Association organised a colourful cultural show depicting cultural elements of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Sydney
07 02 2011
