Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday, 4 December 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya opines that one who does good for his or her country is always guaranteed of great satisfaction.
Addressing a large group of US-Sri Lankan community leaders in California at a dinner reception Ambassador Wickramasuriya informed that the time has never been so right for them to help their motherland.
“Doing something good for your country will always make you better. But helping your country now will make you feel far better as our motherland is doing very well,” he added.
The event was hosted by Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in California at his official residence in Los Angeles recently in honor of the Ambassador’s visit.
Ambassador further opined that great nations are made by the shared will of the people to act for their countries.
“As former United States President late John F. Kennedy correctly put it, ‘Ask not what your country do for you but what you can do for your country.’ This is the kind of attitude that made great nations like the United States possible,” the Ambassador added.
California is the state in the United States where the largest concentration of the US-Sri Lankan community is present. Ambassador Wickramasuriya served as the Consul General of Sri Lanka in California prior to his present appointment.
Ambassador Wickramasuriya received a warm welcome from both Los Angeles City Council and county authorities during his tour.
A ceremony was held in honour of his visit at the City Hall of Los Angeles by the office of the Mayor on 13 November. He met with City Council members Eric Garcetti , Ed. P. Reyes, Richard Alarcon, Jan Perry, Paul Krekorian, Bernard .C. Parks, Herb .J. Wesson Jr. Dennis P Zine, Bill Rosendahl, Tom LaBonge, Mitchell Englander, Paul Koretz, José Huizar, Tony Cardenas and Joe Buscaino during the event. The Ambassador highlighted the cordial relationship that Sri Lanka has with the US since 1948.
On the same day afternoon, the Ambassador was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Zev Yaroslavsky, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County. During this meeting, the Ambassador informed the members of the country supervisory board on Sri Lanka’s recent developments and its emergence as the world’s no. 1 travel destination.
Ambassador Wickramasuriya visited the Dharmavijaya Buddhist Vihara and Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara to pay homage to the resident monks. As part of this community outreach program, Ambassador Wickramasuriya also visited the newly-opened Sri Lankan food restaurant Curry Leaf and graced the Sri Lankan cultural performance Star Track as the Chief Guest.
