The new Sri Lanka Embassy in Bahrain held its first official Independence Day Celebrations in the Kingdom of Bahrain with the participation of Sri Lankan community residing and working there. A Flag Hoisting Ceremony was conducted at the Embassy premises in the morning of 04th February, 2014 with the participation of more than 250 Sri Lankans who are mostly working in Bahraini Government institutions and companies.
The Ceremony began with the Hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador R K M A Rajakaruna, while a choir comprising of young men and women of the Sri Lankan community sang the National Anthem. Religious observances were performed by representatives of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian faiths. Two minutes silence was observed, remembering the National Heroes and Fallen Soldiers. Independence Day messages of H.E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of External Affairs were read out by the Ambassador and the Mission officials. A DVD presentation on Sri Lanka was also made during the Ceremony. At the conclusion of the Ceremony, a reception was held for all the participants, serving a variety of Sri Lankan delicacies.
On 07th February, a Cultural Show was held in the Bahraini National Cultural Hall where over eight hundred and fifty Sri Lankans participated. Ambassador Dr Dhafer Alumran, Consultant for Bilateral Affairs in the Bahraini Foreign Ministry, along with few other local guests attended this event. All the performances were done by children and adults of the Sri Lankan community highlighting the spirit of freedom and patriotism. A short play on the Independence was also staged. Members of Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities involved in the performances, demonstrating the unity and the national harmony of the people of Sri Lanka.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Bahrain
12th February 2014
