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75 years of SL – US Diplomatic Relations, commemorated in Washington D.C.

Published

7 months ago

October 9, 2023

editor

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. on 27 September 2023 held a reception including a series of cultural performances to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States of America.

The event was held under the patronage of Chief Guest, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka M.U.M. Ali Sabry. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States Mahinda Samarasinghe, the host on the occasion, welcomed the guests – special invitees from the U.S. government including the White House, Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Commerce, the IMF/World Bank, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Sri Lankan community, represented by several associations from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, among other guests.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Samarasinghe stated that the relationship between the U.S.A. and (then) Ceylon preceded the attainment of Independence in 1948. He traced significant developments in the friendship up to the present day. Looking forward to the future, he expressed the hope that the relationship would grow stronger in the years to come.

Counselor of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Clinton D. White traced the history of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and USAID with the assistance to the country dating back to 1956. The Counselor, who represented USAID Administrator Samantha Power, outlined the manifold sectors in which USAID is active in Sri Lanka and also looked to enhancing cooperation to enable the country to address and overcome the current economic challenges.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Donald Lu stated that the young people of both societies would help to grow the bilateral relationship by ensuring enhanced understanding and goodwill in the future.

Guest of Honour, United States Senator for Maryland and Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chris Van Hollen reflected on his personal ties to Sri Lanka and expressed appreciation for the contributions of Sri Lankan Americans to the United States. He recalled his recent visit to the island and hoped that the multi-dimensional relations would continue to flourish.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Chief Guest, Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry who expressed appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by many agencies of the U.S. government. The minister noted that year 2023 was also the 75th anniversary of independence from colonial rule. He outlined national priorities ranging from economic recovery to reconciliation and the positive contribution made by the United States in many of these spheres over time. He concluded by proposing a toast to the further enhancement of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The guests and invitees were treated to a range of performances that exemplify the vibrant cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. It was led by a Sri Lankan artiste of renown Jananath Warakagoda and his team, Natamu School of Traditional Sri Lankan Dance led by Chathuri Wickramaarachchi, Serendib Dance led by Asanga Domask, and dancer Achila Perera, whose performances captivated the audience.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. is grateful to the generous support extended by the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL), principal among several other sponsors, who supported the event as well as the publication of a commemorative souvenir to mark the 75th anniversary. The generosity and contribution from all, including from many Sri Lankan Americans, enabled the embassy to organize and conduct these events without cost to the government.

The year 2023, during which many events were held to celebrate the special friendship, has been a productive one for the development of bilateral ties.

(Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington D.C.)

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ASLCSCC holds Chinese Cultural exhibition in Colombo (Pics)

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

editor

An exhibition of Chinese Culture kicked off in Colombo yesterday (May 09) at the exhibition hall of the Public Library, Colombo.

The exhibition, organised by the Association for Sri Lanka – China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC), showcases photographs, art, crafts and calligraphy and will be held today as well.

The event kicks off a series of events which will be held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, which will take place on October 01.

Speaking to ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’, ASLCSCC Chairman – Mr. Indrananda Abeysekera said that this event will be the first of 75 events planned by SLCSCC.

Officials of the Cultural section of the Chinese embassy, ASLCSCC members and school children attended the exhibition opening yesterday morning.

(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)

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India holds artificial limb camp in Sri Lanka (Pics)

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2024

nipuni

A Camp to provide artificial limbs to 1000 Sri Lankan beneficiaries was jointly inaugurated on May 07, 2024 by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Santosh Jha and. Premitha Bandara Thennakoon, State Minister of Defence in the presence of Secretary Defence, Gen Kamal Gunaratne and Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen Vikum Liyanage at the Ranaviru Seva Authority premises in Gampaha district.

The Camp will be conducted roughly over a period of two months at two locations viz Colombo and Vavuniya, and will serve civilians and defence personnel from different regions of the country. The civilian beneficiaries have been identified with the support of All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.

The Camp is supported by the Government of India and is being conducted by an Indian NGO Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), which works for physical and socio-economic rehabilitation of the physically disabled. The Jaipur-based NGO, which was founded in 1975, is also the world’s largest organisation for the differently abled in terms of fitment of artificial limbs and other related aids.

It may be recalled that, BMVSS had organised four such camps in Sri Lanka earlier – Vavuniya in March-April 2010; Jaffna in September 2011; and Colombo and Jaffna in Feb 2022. More than 3100 people had then benefitted from these camps with more than 2200 alone getting the ‘Jaipur Foot’.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, the High Commissioner Jha reiterated India’s deep and abiding commitment to the people of Sri Lanka. The Artificial Limb Fitment Camp exemplifies the persistent endeavour of the India-Sri Lanka partnership to deliver tangible impact on the lives of people.

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75th Foundation Day of ICCR celebrated in Colombo (Pics)

Published

3 weeks ago

April 30, 2024

editor

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, commemorated the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Viharamahadevi Park Open Air Theatre in Colombo on April 29, 2024.

The event unfolded with a vibrant showcase of Indian classical dances and musical performances, painting a tapestry of cultural harmony and universality.
High Commissioner of India H E Santosh Jha was joined by Minister of Education – Dr Susil Premajayantha as the Chief Guest and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Vidura Wickramanayaka as the Guest of Honour in inaugurating the event. High Commissioner Jha in his address congratulated the ICCR family for being the pillar of India’s cultural diplomacy for 75 years and counting. Minister Premajayantha thanked ICCR for offering over 200 fully-funded scholarships annually for Sri Lankan students to pursue Under Graduate, Post Graduate and doctoral degrees in diverse subjects in more than 120 leading Universities and institutions of India.

On this occasion, High Commissioner jointly with the Minister of Education Dr Susil Premajayantha and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka felicitated the winners of the second edition of the Pratibha Sangam competitions. An initiative of ICCR to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Pratibha Sangam (Confluence of Cultures) shines spotlight on the invaluable contributions of foreign nationals and overseas Indians to Indian classical art forms.

ICCR was founded in 1950 by India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The 75th Foundation Day of ICCR holds immense significance as it commemorates 75 glorious years of an institution that has been at the forefront of India’s cultural ties, fostering understanding, goodwill, and cooperation between India and the world. The ICCR centre in Sri Lanka, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre under the aegis of High Commission of India has also completed 25 Years. Established as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Centre serves as a hub for cultural exchange, appreciation, and dialogue.