Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing celebrates 70th independence anniversary

The 70th anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka was celebrated at the premises of the

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing yesterday with more than 200 participants from the Sri Lankan community in China and a team of top officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Chen Xiaodong and Venerable Buddhist monks from Lingguan Temple, Beijing and other priests. 

The representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China, Sivanka Dhanapala, also participated in the event.

The ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku. Thereafter, following Sri Lankan tradition, the national anthem was sung in both Sinhala and Tamil, the traditional lamp was lit and there were multi-religious observances to bless the occasion and the country. The national day message of the President was read in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and those of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs were read in English.

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador briefly explained the country’s independence struggle against several occupying European nations spanning almost five centuries. Further, he stressed the importance of commemorating all the heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the country. 

While appreciating the positive developments of the country during the past 70 years, the Ambassador insisted the necessity of Sri Lanka making up for its missed opportunities. 

When comparing the support of the country for economic reforms, the Ambassador appreciated the wholehearted support of Chinese citizens extended by the Chinese Government and mentioned the importance of the cooperation of Sri Lankans for the Government to achieve its national targets. 

Further, the Ambassador acknowledged the cooperation and assistance extended by the Chinese Government, its corporate sector and its people to develop Sri Lanka and achieve its targets, particularly under the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route initiative. 

Finally, he extended his best wishes to the country celebrating its 70th Independence Day.

As per the guidelines issued by the embassy, the Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong and the Honorary Consulate in Mongolia also celebrated the 70th Independence Day with the participation of the Sri Lankan community and respective government officers in Hong Kong and Mongolia.

More than 20 prominent Chinese media institutions gathered to cover the event and CCTV provided a live telecast of the event. The media section of the Embassy made arrangements to provide publicity to the Independence Day celebration at the Embassy as well as Sri Lanka gems by publishing articles in Chinese media for the past two weeks. 

Along the sidelines of the Independence Day celebrations, a photography exhibition which showcased Sri Lanka and China relations was held at the embassy premises.

The ceremony concluded with the cutting of a cake and a lunch hosted by the Ambassador at his residence.