Commemorating 74th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne highlights citizens’ national responsibility to work together to build motherland

On 04^th February, 2022, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C.A.Chaminda I. Colonne, Spouse  and Embassy staff proudly celebrated the 74^th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka at Ambassador’s Official Residence at Fairview Tower in Bangkok.

The programme comprised of hoisting of the national flag by the Ambassador Chaminda Colonne, singing the national anthem, followed by a two-minutes silence in memory of all patriotic Sri Lankans who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Ambassador Chaminda Colonne read the speech delivered by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the National Independence Day Celebration in Colombo. Independence Day Messages of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minster Prof. G.L. Peiris were read by First Secretary and Head of Chancery Saritha Ranatunga.

Delivering her remarks at the occasion Ambassador recalled that beloved motherland was under colonial power for 443 years, and ruled by  Portuguese, Dutch, British, from 1505 to 1948 and  the political struggle for independence was unitedly led by our Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim leaders, and the lost freedom was finally won back on 4^th February in  1948.

Ambassador stated that ‘we can also overcome today’s  COVID-19 pandemic challenges, as His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is ready to give the necessary leadership. At this difficult time, we all as responsible citizens of Sri Lanka have a national responsibility to work together and build our motherland and support the Government to create a productive citizen, a happy family, a disciplined society and a prosperous nation’.

While recalling Sri Lanka – Thailand bilateral relations based on shared history and common spiritual heritage, guided and nurtured by the timeless message of the Lord Buddha, Ambassador added that her earnest hope is that those excellent bonds of friendship and cooperation will be expanded into new avenues of cooperation, especially in trade, economic fields and investment with the blessings of His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Commemorating Sri Lanka’s 74^th Anniversary of Independence, on 04^th February 202, Thailand’s National Radio, Radio Thailand World Service and Thailand Elite+ Magazine carried out special messages from the Ambassador and Expat Life magazine published an interview with the Ambassador on Sri Lanka.

The celebration was followed by a lunch hosted by Ambassador Chaminda Colonne and Spouse Stephan Nishantha Senanayake. Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines in Thailand Tharaka Galahitiyawa and family members of the Embassy staff also attended the event.

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Bangkok, Thailand

07^th February 2022