The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Sydney together with the Austra-Lanka Muslim Association (ALMA) organised an IFTAR event on Saturday 19 May 2018 at Petersham Town Hall in Sydney, with the participation of Sri Lankan community Associations in New South Wales (NSW).
Addressing the gathering, Sri Lanka's Consul General in Sydney Lal Wickrematunge expounded on the reconciliation process undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka to build a peaceful multi-ethnic multi-religious society for future generations. He remarked that Sri Lankan Community events such as IFTAR help to create common understanding among different faiths in the country.
This was the second time that the Consulate General collaborated with the ALMA in organising multi-religious IFTAR event in Sydney.
Representatives from other Sri Lankan Associations such as Sri Lanka Association of NSW, Tamil Seniors' Association, Sri Lankan Australian Malay Association, Ceylon Society of Australia, and Sri Lankan Catholic Association of NSW, participated in the event.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Zachariah Matthews, an Islamic Scholar in Australia delivered the Key-note address. Mr. Rafi Mubarak, President of the ALMA also spoke.
The event concluded with breaking the Ramadan fast and religious prayers. Around 400 Sri Lankans living in Australia participated in this event.