Sri Lankans celebrate 66th Independence anniversary |04 February 2014

Today is Sri Lanka’s 66th Independence Day anniversary but Sri Lankans living in Seychelles will celebrate their day on Sunday February 9.

The anniversary is being celebrated under the theme 'Let us unite to build a world conquering country'.

In Sri Lanka, Kegalle Sabaragamuwa Province is hosting the Independence Day cultural and religious celebrations.

The main ceremony is held on Independence Avenue, Kegalle while the religious programmes are held for Buddhist at the Wewaladeniya Temple, for Hindus at the Kadheer Welayudham Kalie Kovil, for Muslims at the Muhuyaddheen Jumma Mosque, for Catholics at St. Mary’s Church, and for Christians at Sri Lanka Christian Reformist Assembly.

On Sunday February 9, the Sri Lankan community in Seychelles will gather at the International Conference Centre to celebrate in a small ceremony which will include the flag hoisting followed by a cultural activity.

Sri Lanka, a tropical island country also known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, has much to celebrate. Half a decade has gone by since the end of the conflict and there has been no turmoil. New developments have been emerging such as a second international airport and faster road networks joining the northern and southern parts of the country.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka has been working hard to strengthen its ties with other countries as it is doing with Seychelles.

Last year President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s state visit to Seychelles marked the 25-year-long friendship between the two countries. Since then a direct flight from Sri Lanka to Seychelles has been introduced, a Sri Lankan bank has opened a branch in Seychelles and the Sri Lanka high commission has been established.

Ruth Mohotti
University of Seychelles