Sri Lankan community in Milan together with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka with the official flag hoisting ceremony held at the Consulate General premises on 04 February 2023.
The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Consul General Dilani Weerakoon and the singing of the national anthem, followed by observing two minutes of silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
The traditional oil lamp was lit by the Consul General, officers representing the staff and the children of the Bloom International school and St Joseph’s International College, the two Sri Lankan International schools in Milan, representing the ethnic diversity of the Sri Lankan expatriate community.
Multi-religious observances were conducted by the Chief Sanghanayaka of the Milan Buddhist Centre in Italy, Chief Prelate of the Milan Buddhist Centre Ven. Mahagama Vipulasiri Nayaka Thero, from the Milan Sri Lanka Catholic Community Rev Father Princky Rosan and Rev. Benu Gopal and represerning the Islamic faith Zakariya Mohamed Rizvi. Priests representing Buddhist Vihara in Brescia, Lankarama Temple and Dharmanikethanaya in Milan were also in attendance.
The messages of the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs were read by the Consul General and members of the staff of the Consulate General.
Addressing the gathering Consul General Dilani Weerakoon appreciated the contribution by the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Northern Italy for the economic development of the country and requested all overseas Sri Lankans to unite, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, for the betterment of the motherland.
The event concluded with the singing of the national anthem in Tamil. At the end of the official ceremony traditional Sri Lankan food was served to the guests.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Milan
10 February 2023
