20th Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations
19th November 2012
In the evening of the first day of the state visit H.E. the president attended the cultural show themed “Sri Lankan Night” On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Kazakhstan, organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board at the palace of peace and reconciliation of Kazakhstan(Pyramid of Peace). Arrival of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka – Mr Mynbai Darhan Kamzabekuly, Minister of Culture and Information – will receive the main entrance. Perahera formation will be conducted with traditional welcome dance by Dancers & Drummers.
The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, also referred to as The Pyramid for its geometrical shape, is a unique building that has been conceived and designed by architect Sir Norman Foster (United Kingdom). This diversity is unified within the pure form of a pyramid, 62 meters high with a 62 x 62-meter base. It contains accommodations for different religions: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and other faiths. It also houses Museum of national culture, National opera and ballet theatre, the University of Civilizations, exposition and concert halls, a library, as well as a research centre of world religions and offices of spiritual denominations. The building is conceived as a global center for religious understanding, the renunciation of violence and the promotion of faith and human equality. The Palace hosted II Congress of World and Traditional religions in 2006 and Ministerial Conference “Common World: Progress through Diversity” in 2008. The Pyramid of Peace expresses the spirit of Kazakhstan, where cultures, traditions and representatives of various nationalities coexist in piece, harmony and accord. “The four sides of our Palace are oriented to the four sides of the world. In some sense this construction embodies independent Kazakhstan that friendly embraces all people of all nations and practicing different religions”, – Nursultan Nazarbayev describes the building.
The famous Dance troupe of Mr. Chandana Wickramasinghe commenced the show with a traditional dance from Kandy, blessing the audience with prosperity. Thereafter the welcome speeches were conducted by the Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia H.E. Udayanga Weerathunga and Hon. Mynbai Darhan Kamzabekuly, Minister of Culture and Information.
Many more Sri Lankan traditional dances were staged representing many of the countries vivid cultural sects which also included Pandampaaliya, Pahatharata Natum, and Drum Orchestra amongst others. Kazakhstan traditional artists too delighted the audience with some eye-catching Kazakhstan cultural items. The show was concluded with the “Dasa Desa Sri Lanka” dance which depicted the culture, beauty and glory of Sri Lanka.
