The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai celebrated 76 Independence Day of Sri Lanka on 04 February 2024 at the Chancery premises.
Prior to the official celebrations, an almsgiving to the Buddhist monks was organized by the staff of the Deputy High Commission and the Deputy Monk-in- charge of the Chennai Mahabodhi Society Ven. Nugagolle Chandraratne Thero and 03 other venerable monks were offered Heel Danaya.
The official ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India Dr. D. Venkateshwaran followed by singing of the National Anthem of Sri Lanka. A two- minutes of silence was observed honouring Sri Lankans who sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. Multi-faith religious observances commenced with imparting of blessings by Deputy Monk-in-charge of Maha Bodhi Society Chennai Ven. Nugagolle Chandraratne Thera followed by Chief Priest of the Sri Kaligambal Kamateswarar Devasthanam Swami Shanmugam Sivachariar, Rev. D.F. Bosco of the St. Theresa Church and Chief Quazi of the Royapettah Mosque Imam Dr. Salahuddin Mohammed Ayub.
The National Day messages of the President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were read out by the officers of the Mission in three languages. The Deputy High Commissioner addressed the gathering wherein he commended the able leadership of the President Ranil Wikcremesinghe for guiding the country’s economy in the right direction. He also highlighted the recent achievement of the Deputy High Commission and the government of Sri Lanka including issuance of passports to resettled Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu which was long awaited.
Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka
Chennai
06 February 2024
