The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, in association with the Sri Lankan community of the tri-State area of New York, celebrated the 72nd Anniversary of Independence on 9th February 2020 at the High School of Fashion Industries Auditorium in New York. The event was attended by an audience of over 700 persons.
The proceedings commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, which was followed by the singing of the national anthem by members of the Catholic Community Choir of New York and New Jersey. Two minutes silence was observed in remembrance of all those who had sacrificed their lives for the nation and victims of conflicts. Thereafter, the traditional oil lamp was lit by Dr. Mohamed Hack, Community Co-ordinator, representing the Borough President of Queens and Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Director of the Southeast and Asian Affairs, representing the Borough President of Brooklyn. They were joined by Ambassador Senewiratne and four Sri Lankan children representing the respective communities in the country. Children from the community then chanted “Jayamangala Gatha”.
Multi-faith religious observances in Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and Christian faiths, invoking blessings on the country and the people, were conducted by Ven. Aluthgama Dhammajoti thero of the New York Buddhist Vihara, Sri Vivekananda Gurukkal of the Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam of Flushing, Ash–sheikh Mohamed Hisham Mufti, Imam of the Sri Lankan Muslim Association in New Jersey and Father Lakmin Silva, Church of the Immaculate Conception in Tuckahoe, New York respectively.
The Independence Day messages of H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Foreign Relations Hon. Dinesh Gunewardena, were read in Sinhala, Tamil and English respectively by the Ambassador and Mission staff.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Senewiratne thanked the Sri Lankan community in the tri-State area of New York for their unstinted co-operation to the Permanent Mission. She also highlighted the contribution Sri Lanka had made to the United Nations and the cooperation the country had with the world body. She stated that H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had pledged in his policy statement to create a peaceful, prosperous and beautiful Sri Lanka that all citizens can aspire to and reiterated his request for the present generation of Sri Lankans to join in the creation of a prosperous nation for the future, in delivering this responsibility that history has bestowed. She repeated the call made by the Minister of Foreign Relations for all Sri Lankans, living at home and abroad to join hands in this endeavor. She added that there would be multiple obstacles that would be faced in the realization of this vision but together, they could be overcome. She stated that is an offer of a free partnership to become a partner in the development of Sri Lanka, which is freely open to all members of the Sri Lanka community. She added that the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in New York is ready to facilitate this partnership.
In her address to the Sri Lankan community, Ms. Sharon Lee, Borough President of Queens highlighted the important contributions made by immigrant communities in the US, including Sri Lankans. She encouraged younger members of the community to consider a career in the public service and urged the Sri Lankans in the Tri-State area to participate in the upcoming census. Mr. Chauhan also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the manner in which the Sri Lankan community had come together in celebrating this important event in their motherland.
The cultural segment of the evening commenced with a musical and cultural dedication. Visharada Shalika Aroshini De Silva sang “Me Mihi Madale” followed by a Bharatha Natyam performance by Guru Calai Chandra. Several patriotic songs, dances and mini dramas were performed by the children of the Sri Lankan community in the Tri-State area, which enthralled the audience.
Following the vote of thanks by Dr. Wije Kottahachchi, a sumptuous dinner reflecting the different cuisines of Sri Lanka, was served. The food was catered by several reputed Sri Lankan restaurants and individuals in the hospitality industry in the tri-State area of New York.
