Lankans in Dubai celebrate President’s birthday with bana

The Sri Lankan community in Dubai organised ‘bana deshana’ and the ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Consulate in Dubai on 19 November at 8 p.m. for the birthday celebration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The event was started with prayers from all four religions including the bana deshana that was conducted by a Senior Priest from Mahamewuna Asapuwa. Speeches from Dammika Gamage on behalf of the Dubai community, Lal Delpavithra on behalf of Abu Dhabi community, and Abdul Raheem, Consul General of Dubai, had been conveyed at the event.

Certificates had been given by Sarath Wijesinghe, Sri Lanka Ambassador in the UAE, to a few people who have contributed to the Sri Lankan community in various aspects and areas in the UAE including Farook Kassim, Chairman of Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai, and Mohamed Giado, former President of Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai.

The event was ended with a vote of thanks by M.E.G. Samaraweera, First Secretary (Labour), Sri Lanka Embassy in UAE.