Reception on ocassion of Independepce Day Celebration
05 February, 2009
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russian Federation celebrated 61st Independence Anniversary with the Sri Lankan and diplomatic community on the evening of February 05, 2009 in Moscow. More than 200 guests including Hon. Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs in Russian Federation Mr. Alexei Borodavkin, senior Russian government officials, diplomatic corps, media, and friends and supporters of Sri Lanka attended the glamorous Independence Day reception at the Embassy in Moscow.
Hon. Deputy Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government about the firm standing against the terrorism and he congratulates recent successful victories against the terrorists. And he again re assured that Russian Federation is a true Sri Lankan friend and always working together for the development of bi lateral relations. He expressed the confidence that the humanitarian process undertaken by the Sri Lankan forces would give the wonderful opportunity to re establish and improve the living standards of affected people by providing them with clean water, better health care , education as well as micro-finances for their businesses in the Northern Province.
Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga said “Today, when we look back, we can say with satisfaction that we are undoubtedly moving forward in the right direction under the guidance of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. or the recent three years being the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation my colleagues and I have succeeded in many things. Despite the world economic crisis, in 2008 Sri Lanka became the tea exports leader into the Russian Federation. Also we have succeeded in tourism promotion. As a result the Russian Federation took the 5th place in tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka.”
Main celebrations of the 61st anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence were held on 04th February 2009 at the embassy premises. Members of the Sri Lankan business people, students and embassy staff and others gathered to participate in the celebrations. More than 100 Sri Lankan participated this function. After the Buddhist, Hindu and catholic religious ceremonies Ambassador and Head of Chancery read the President’s, Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers Independence messages respectively. On a huge TV screen, pictures of creative work carried out during the years of independence and how Sri Lanka celebrates 61st Independence Anniversary in Colombo-Sri Lanka were demonstrated.
