The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria, South Africa commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka with members of the Sri Lankan community and other well-wishers at the High Commission on 04 February 2023. Around 150 Sri Lankans in and around Pretoria, Johannesburg, other accredited countries, and friends of Sri Lanka participated in the event.
The event started with the singing of the Sri Lankan National Anthem followed by the National Anthem of the Republic of South Africa. A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those who sacrificed their lives for the motherland.
As a symbol of passing the traditional values to the next generation, the High Commissioner then invited children and young Sri Lankans present at the event to participate in the lighting of the traditional lamp .
Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian religious observances to invoke peace and prosperity for Sri Lanka were conducted by Most Ven. Phra Kitsakol Phaenoi, Abbot of the Johannesburg Buddhist Temple, Guru Ratnasabapathy Vengatraman of the Adhi Lingeswarar Hindu Temple in Benoni, Moulana Ebrahim I Bham of the Jamiatul Ulama, South Africa, and Pastor Keshia Van Rooyen of the Christian Revival Church, Johannesburg.
Following the welcome address by High Commissioner Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, the independence day messages from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and President of the Republic of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa were read out to the audience by Mission staff.
The official event concluded with the playing of the Sri Lankan National Anthem in Tamil.
All attendees were then served traditional Sri Lanka cuisine and Ceylon Tea.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Pretoria
10 February 2023
