The International Women’s Day celebrations organized by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the People (ICAP) together with the Asian Ladies Circle of Havana (ALC) were held at the ICAP main auditorium on7th April 2013. A large number of Asian Diplomatic Missions based in Havana including the Sri Lankan Embassyparticipated at the celebrations. The programme of events lined up for the evening included dress parades, fashion shows, food and handicraft demonstrations along with country promotion exhibitions featuring Asian cultures. As part of the celebrations, elegantly clad ladies and gents in national dresses and traditional attire representing their respective countries took part in a fashion parade in a bid to showcase the rich diversity and vitality of Asia.
Sri Lanka was represented at the celebrations by the wife of the Ambassador, Mrs. Ramanika Dissanayake, Embassy staff members, Mrs. Seetha Peiris and Mr. Thusitha Anuruddha, and a group of Sri Lankan students attached to the Cuban Universities. The items staged by the Sri Lankan performers included Pooja and Peacock Dances and the presentation of Sri Lankan folk and modern dancing acts to the beat of Sri Lankan traditional drums and music which were well received and enjoyed by all.
The cultural extravaganza presented by the Asian countries on this occasion provided a rare opportunity for the large gathering of guests in the audience including the spouses of the Diplomatic Corps to experience the extra ordinary talents, life styles, art and dance forms, culinary flavors, fine craftsmanship of the Asian people. The Chief Guest, Madame Kenia Serrano, President of the ICAP in her speech appreciated the unstinted support and cooperation extended by the Embassies of the Asian countries represented in Cuba toward the success of the event which was dedicated for the women.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Havana
10th April 2013
