The Sri Lanka High Commission in London celebrated the 72nd Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka at the High Commission premises on 04 February 2020 with the Sri Lankan community living in the United Kingdom. The ceremony included hoisting of the national flag, singing the national anthem, conduct of multi-faith religious observances, observing two minutes silence in honour of all those who sacrificed their lives in defence of the Motherland, reading of independence day messages of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena, and address of the gathering by the Acting High Commissioner.
The programme ended with the serving of refreshments including kiribath and traditional sweet meats.
Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thero, Chief Sanganayaka of Great Britain invoking blessings on the gathering and the Motherland
Sivashri Thiyagaraja Lashmi Kandha Kurukkal of Seeradi Sai Temple, Ilford invoking blessings on the gathering and the Motherland
As-Sheikh Mohammed Anas of Harrow Mosque invoking blessings on the gathering and the Motherland
Rev Father Sudham Perera of Sri Lankan Sinhala Catholic Chaplaincy invoking blessings on the gathering and the Motherland
Acting High Commissioner Samantha Pathirana addressing the gathering at the Independence Day Celebrations
Minister Counsellor (Defence) Brigadier D B S N Bothota reading H E the President’s Message in Sinhala
