The 71st Independence Day of Sri Lanka was celebrated by the Representative Office of Sri Lanka in Palestine on 4th February 2019 at Grand Park Hotel in Ramallah. Representative Mr. M. Fawzan Anver presided the function. H. E. Dr. Ziad Amer, Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Palestine was the Chief Guest at this occasion.
Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, High Officials from the President’s Office, Prime Minister’s office and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Palestine, Diplomats, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Representatives of Political Parties, members of the NGO’s organizations, Members of the Chamber of Commerce, Tea Importers, Travel Agents, Members of Palestine – Sri Lanka Friendship Society and well wishes graced the occasion. A large number of invitees attended at the Independence Day celebration of Sri Lanka held in Palestine.
Function commenced with hoisting of National Flag, lighting of traditional Oil Lamp amidst the playing of ‘Magul Bera ‘ and followed by singing of the National Anthems of both countries. Then the religious observances were conducted.
Mr. Fawzan Anver, the Representative welcoming the gathering elaborated on the significance of the Independence Day. He also explained the development activities taking place in Sri Lanka including the remarkable achievements gained in economic, social and cultural activities under the leadership of H. E. President Maithripala Sirisena.
The Representative also highlighted the longstanding solidarity and friendship that exist between Sri Lanka and Palestine. He also recalled the support of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to Palestine cause and for two State solutions on the basis of relevant UN resolutions.
The Representative also appreciated the consumption of Ceylon Tea in a large scale by Palestinians.
Independence Day messages of the President, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs were read to the gathering.
The Chief Guest – H. E. Dr. Ziad Amer, Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Palestine in his remarks congratulated Sri Lanka on 71st anniversary of Independence and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of H.E. the President, the Government and people of the State of Palestine to H.E. the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked H. E. the President of Sri Lanka on behalf of the President Mahmoud Abbas for the address he made at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 25th September 2018 since the continued support extended by the Government of Sri Lanka to the Palestinian cause which had been expressed in National and International ways. The Chief Guest further thanked H. E. the President of Sri Lanka for arranging plot of land in the Capital City of Colombo for the purpose of constructing the Palestinian Embassy in Sri Lanka. The chief Guest also thanked H. E. Mr. Fawzan Anver for his service of contribution the brotherly two countries.
Finally a unique feature at this function was the award of “ Lanka Pranama “ ( salutation of Sri Lanka ) to the following two Palestinians for promoting Trade and Investment between Sri Lanka and Palestine : Mr. Ahmed Al-Sheeb: one of the leading Tea Traders in Jenin and owner of the Alwalad Trading Company, and Mr. Faisal Darras: owner of Darras Trading Company in Beitunia/Ramallah.
Also another two Palestinians were honored in grateful appreciation of their contribution made to people of the State of Palestine: Eng. Mahmoud Abdullah and Mr. Micheal Shomali: the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Bethlehem and Hebron from 2012 – 2018
Information on Sri Lanka including development activities and opportunities in the trade, tourism and other economic spheres for the business community through electronic media also was disseminated during the event.
The function concluded with the Lunch.
All participants were gifted with pure Ceylon Tea in a special bag printed as “Pearl of Asia – Sri Lanka”.
