Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, addressing the gathering highlighted the importance of appreciating the diversity that we share as individuals and as groups belonging to different ethnicities, religions and ways of life, to the fabric of Sri Lanka, and to look to the future as one nation. He further noted that the Government under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is committed to achieve lasting peace, national reconciliation, sustainable development and eradication of poverty, which have been identified as key priorities by the Government.
Ambassador Aryasinha noted the unique position and responsibility of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva in advancing and contributing to these efforts of the Government through engagement with a large number of international organizations headquartered in Geneva. Illustrating the tangible results achieved by the Mission in working with these organizations over the past year in the areas of human rights, trade, migration, disarmament, sustainable development, intellectual property, scientific cooperation, environment and humanitarian work, he expressed appreciation to the Sri Lankans in these respective organizations for their expertise and contribution, as well as for their engagement with the Mission.
Describing the overseas Sri Lankans as “Goodwill Ambassadors of Sri Lanka”, Ambassador Aryasinha said they have an important role to play in the advancement of reconciliation and economic development of their country of birth. He urged the community to continue to contribute in the process of building a peaceful and prosperous country for all Sri Lankans.
The programme commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag, followed by the singing of the National Anthem in Sinhala. Two minutes silence was observed to honour those who participated in the independence struggle and sacrificed their lives safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
Following the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, multi-religious observances were conducted.
The 69th Independence Day message of President Maithripala Sirisena was read by Mrs. Samantha Jayasuriya, Deputy Permanent Representative, while Mrs. Mafusa Lafir, Second Secretary read the Message of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ms. Shashika Somaratne, Counsellor read the Message of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.
Ambassador R.D.S. Kumararatne, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) delivered the Vote of Thanks. The official ceremony concluded with the playing of the National Anthem in Tamil.
The programme was hosted by Saman Ganiachchi, Attache (Administration) in Sinhala, Mrs. Asha Neeliya, Management Assistant in Tamil and Hans Koch, in English.
