The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Türkiye celebrated the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka with a series of vibrant events attended by Sri Lankan expatriates, Turkish dignitaries, members of the diplomatic community, and well-wishers.
The celebrations commenced in the morning with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Embassy premises, attended by members of the Sri Lankan community, Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka in Türkiye, and other distinguished guests. The flag hoisting ceremony began with the hoisting of the Sri Lankan national flag and the singing of the national anthem.
The ceremony included multi-faith religious observances, paying tribute to Sri Lanka’s diverse heritage. Independence Day messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka were read, highlighting the country's commitment to democracy, good governance, and sustainable development. A two-minute of silence was observed in honour of national heroes.
Following the morning ceremony, the diplomatic reception was held at the MiMi Hotel in Ankara promoting bilateral trade, investment, and tourism. The event was graced by Deputy Minister of National Education of Türkiye Celile Eren Ökten as the Guest of Honour. Over 350 distinguished guests, including Turkish parliamentarians, politicians, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Turkish academic and business leaders, those representing arts and culture, attended the event, which underscored the strong and enduring diplomatic partnership between Sri Lanka and Türkiye.
In her address at the diplomatic reception, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Türkiye Saranya Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s progress towards economic recovery and stability. “Sri Lanka is firmly on the path to economic resilience, marking a significant turnaround from past challenges. We have prioritized transparency, good governance, and sustainable economic policies to build a prosperous future,” she added.
The Ambassador also emphasized the historical ties between Sri Lanka and Türkiye, rooted in centuries-old trade and cultural exchanges, and expressed confidence in further strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism in the coming year.
The Guest of Honour, Deputy Minister of National Education of Türkiye, Celile Eren Ökten commended Sri Lanka’s progress and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to deepening collaboration in multiple sectors. She acknowledged the longstanding friendship between the two countries highlighting Sri Lanka’s support to Türkiye during the time of need. She mentioned that “Türkiye and Sri Lanka share a bond of mutual respect and solidarity. We are committed to expanding our partnerships in education, trade, and cultural exchanges to benefit both our nations.”
The diplomatic reception was further enhanced by a captivating traditional Sri Lankan dance performance that showcased the island’s rich cultural heritage, presented by two Sri Lankan medical students studying at Tbilisi State Medical University in Georgia. Guests were also treated to an exquisite Sri Lankan culinary experience featuring a selection of authentic dishes that delighted attendees.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
Türkiye
07 February 2024
