Sri Lankan community celebrates 66th Independence Day anniversary |10 February 2014

The Sri Lankan community living in Seychelles gathered at the SeaFront restaurant yesterday to celebrate their country’s 66th Independence Day anniversary which falls on February 4.

Sri Lanka’s acting high commissioner to Seychelles Esala Weerakoon and Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam hoisted the flags of the two countries, after which both national anthems were played.

Guests then proceeded inside the restaurant where the ceremony started with the lighting of the oil lamp, followed by religious observances.

The National Day message of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was then read.

Those attending the ceremony were Seychelles founding President James Mancham, leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre and the deputy speaker Andre Pool, other members of the parliament, Sri Lanka's honorary consul in Seychelles Roy Fonseka, and high government officials.

In a short speech, Mr Weerakoon said the bilateral relationship between Seychelles and Sri Lanka is deep and enduring, adding that it has been progressing at a rapid pace.

The high level contact between Presidents James Michel and Rajapaksa has helped the relationship between the two countries to grow.

“We are extremely grateful for the support extended to Sri Lanka by the government of Seychelles and Minister Adam in our bid to obtain membership in the Indian Ocean Commission,” he said.

Mr Weerakoon made mention of the various areas of cooperation between Sri Lanka and Seychelles.

He said Sri Lanka looks forward to working with Seychelles in important areas such as piracy, law enforcement and maritime crime prevention.

Sri Lanka also wants to partner in the Vanilla Islands organisation, which regroups all the islands of the Indian Ocean to join forces and market the region for tourism.

Mr Weerakoon also expressed words of thanks to Sri Lankans living in Seychelles for their valuable contribution in nurturing the relationship between the two countries.

On his part, Mr Adam said “our two island nations are bonded by longstanding mutually benefitting friendship that continues to grow in strength.”

“The people of Seychelles and Sri Lanka share a common vision, one of a world which is based on freedom, equality, justice and sustainable development for all,” he said.

“We are two nations linked by the sea, and we believe that harnessing this blue economy for our mutual development is one which will bear fruit not only for our future generation but for the ones today,” he added.

Mr Adam saluted the efforts of all Sri Lankans who are contributing to the Seychelles economy, who are working in the various sectors of our society.

“Our two peoples are learning and working together, and we are moving forward together. I look forward to the wonderful partnership which continues to flourish between our two countries,” he added.

As part of the celebrations, there were various performances which included dance and patriotic songs.