The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai celebrated the 77th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on 04 February 2025 at the Chancery premises.
Prior to the official celebrations, the mission staff offered dhanaya to Chief Incumbent of the Chennai Mahabodhi Society, Ven. Nugagolle Chandraratne Thero and two other venerable monks.
The official ceremony was held in the presence of a large gathering of Sri Lankans, Indian well-wishers, mission staff and their family members amounting to more than 100 persons. The celebration commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag of Sri Lanka by Actg. Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Southern India, Supun Deshaprema, followed by the singing of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka. In keeping with the traditions, the traditional oil lamp was lit by the Actg. Deputy High Commissioner and other dignitaries, and a two-minute silence honouring the national heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland was observed. Multi-faith religious observances were held with the invoking of blessings by Monk-In-Charge, Maha Bodhi Society, Ven. Nugagolle Chandraratne Thero; Chief Priest, Sri Kaligambal Kamateswarar Devasthanam, Swami Ashok Kumar Sivachariar; Parish Priest, St. Theresa’s Church, Rev. Don Bosco; and Deputy Chief Quazi, Royapettah Mosque, Imam Mohammed Akbar Ali Shah Aamiri.
The tri-lingual national day messages of the President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka were read out by the officers of the Mission. The Actg. Deputy High Commissioner addressed the gathering wherein he emphasized the importance of enhancement of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and South India and highlighted the vision of the President “Let Us Unite for National Revival” and its implementation. Moreover, he thanked all fellow Sri Lankans and well-wishers for rendering a helping hand during challenging times.
A networking reception has been scheduled by the Embassy for 28 February 2025, to make the celebrations more meaningful with the participation of the diplomatic corps, government officials, business community and well-wishers in the host country.
Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka
Chennai
05 February 2025
