Gala dinner to celebrate India’s Independence Day

A fusion of glamour and festivities awaits guests at the annual gala dinner organised by the Sri Lanka India Society to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The celebratory dinner will be held today from 6. 45p.m. at Taj Samudra. The Chief Guest at the dinner will be High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha. The patronage of Kantha and officials at the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has always strengthened the efforts of the Sri Lanka India society.

The society which strives constantly to foster camaraderie among the Sri Lankan and the Indian community has invited Ambassador Dr. Kanwal Sibal Former Foreign Secretary of India to be the Guest of Honour as well as the Guest Speaker at the occasion.

Dr. Sibal joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1966. His diplomatic career spanning 41 years gives him an in-depth understanding of India’s political, security and economic interests in the global context. He reached the highest position in the India Foreign Service on his appointment as Foreign Secretary to the Government of India from July 2002 to November 2003.

His Excellency Ambassador Kanwal Sibal began his rich and diverse career in France (1968-1973), was Deputy Spokesman in the Ministry of External Affairs (1973-1975), and after spending an academic year at Oxford University (1975-1976), served in Tanzania (1976-1979) and Portugal (1980-1982). He was Deputy Chief of Mission in Nepal (1982 -1985) and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (1986-1989).

He has held several Ambassadorial level positions. He was India’s Ambassador to Turkey (1989-1992) and Deputy Chief of Mission in the United States (1992-1995), with the rank of Ambassador. He served thereafter as India’s Ambassador to Egypt (1995-1998) and Ambassador to France (1998-2002). Most recently he was India’s Ambassador to Russia (2004-2007).

Dr. Kanwal Sibal is the First Grand Doctor of Philosophy in India. He received the title of Full Professor from the European Academy of Informatisation and the World Information Distributed University-WIDU.

He is a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. He is on the Board of Directors of the New York based East-West Institute. He is on the Advisory Board of the Vivekanand International Foundation.

Ambassador Sibal writes regularly for national journals and periodicals on international affairs.

He is invited to speak regularly on these issues. He is an Editorial Consultant to The Indian Defence Review and Foreign Affairs Editor of Force – the two most prominent defence and security related publications. He has received the high distinction of Grand Officer of the Ordre du Merite from France.

He has an MA degree in English Literature and a Bachelor’s degree in Law. He speaks French fluently.

Speaking about the strength and the history of the Sri Lanka India Society, Attorney-at-Law/ Notary Public and the President of The Sri Lanka India Society Kandiah Neelakandan stated, “We are the oldest friendship society in Sri Lanka with a history of more than 50 years. We are always searching for ways to foster friendship between the two communities – India and Sri Lanka.”

With more than 600 members island-wide, The Sri Lanka India Society continually persists to strengthen the bond between the Sri Lankan and the Indian community. Activities such as Mahatma Gandhi Oration, ‘Saathme’ Members Fellowship, T-20 cricket matches, Annual Family Day, and much more has already established the club as a dedicated society.

As part of their continuous efforts to promote friendship between the two countries, the Sri Lanka India Society held ‘Sthree Utsav 2012’ – A Celebration for Women in June 2012. ‘Sthree Utsav 2012’ was a unique event which featured choreographed dances fused with Sri Lankan and Indian cultural elements, fashion shows that touched on the latest fashions and make up shows.