On February 8, 2015, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul celebrated the 67th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka with members of the Sri Lankan community in South Korea.
The commemoration was held in Gwangju city, which is situated about 300 kilometres away from the capital city of Seoul. A large number of Sri Lankan nationals and many Korean friends of Sri Lanka attended the event amid cold winter temperatures. Former Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka and current Secretary-General for Asian Affairs of the Korean Foreign Ministry, H.E. Choi Jang-moon, and the Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City President Lee, Sun-jaewere the Guests of Honour for the event. Senior government officials, members of the business community with ties to Sri Lanka, officials of migrant centres, and media organizations, were also present at the event.
The official programme started with the hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador Wijeratne. After the National Anthems of both Sri Lanka and Korea and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, the Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious observances were conducted to invoke blessings upon the President, the Government and the people of the country. The special Independence Day message by the President was also recited.
The ceremony also celebrated the rich culture of dance and music of Sri Lanka. A talented Sri Lankan dance troupe in Korea performed gracefully to the melodies of Sri Lankan drums and traditional music. Most importantly, this year’s Independence Day was celebrated with the diligent contribution of the Sri Lankan migrant workers who are temporarily away from theirmotherland. Their patriotic spirit weaved among the attendees.
Apart from this glamorous event in Gwangju,on the morning of February 4th, the Embassy staff, along with members of the Sri Lankan community in Seoul, gathered on the Embassy premises to celebrate the Independence Day event with religious rituals. Ambassador Tissa Wijeratne first unfurled the national flag, which was followed by the singing of the Sri Lankan National Anthem, a two-minute silent observation to honour fallen heroes of Sri Lanka and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. The event also honoured a multi-religious culture with representation by Sri Lanka’s four main religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Delicious Sri Lankan lunch was served to all participants at the end of the ceremony.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Seoul
10th February 2015
