The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates commemorated the 77th National Independence Day of Sri Lanka on 04 February 2025, under the theme "Towards a National Resilience Renaissance", with a ceremony attended by members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
The official programme commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai Alexi Gunasekera, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and a two-minute of silence in honour of national heroes and all those who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. The event continued with the reading of Independence Day messages from the President, Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera emphasized the Government’s commitment to the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, digitalization policies, and poverty eradication measures. He urged all Sri Lankans living in the UAE, particularly the business and professional community, to support the achievement of Sri Lanka’s export revenue target of USD 36 billion by 2030 and to contribute towards increasing tourist arrivals from the UAE to help achieve the national target of 3 million tourists by the end of 2025.
Referring to the President’s Independence Day address, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera stated, “We will celebrate independence by embracing the future, and let us realize the dream of freedom together.”
A key highlight of the event was the newly renovated backyard of the Consulate General, which served as the venue of the event. This renovation aligns with the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka initiative, aimed at creating a better public environment. The Consul General elaborated on the social, ethical, and environmental pillars of this initiative.
The celebration was graced by the presence of several individuals representing various Sri Lankan professional associations, members of the Sri Lanka Business Council, the Welfare Organisation Sahana, and the Cultural Education Center affiliated with the Consulate General. Additionally, key business leaders, along with representatives from skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled employment sectors, participated in the event, reflecting the strong bonds within the Sri Lankan expatriate community.
Following the Vote of Thanks and the conclusion of the official celebrations, attendees were invited to enjoy refreshments.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka extends its sincere gratitude to all attendees for their participation in this momentous occasion and remains committed to serving the Sri Lankan community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Dubai
07 February 2025
