67th National Day Celebrations at HC London Sri Lanka High commission UK

The 67th Independence Day of Sri Lanka was celebrated at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London. In the Morning the Sri Lankan community living in London attended a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast hosted by the Acting High Commissioner, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa. The event commenced with hoisting the National Flag, reciting the National Anthem and multi faith religious prayers followed by the reading of the national day messages of HE the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In the evening a reception was hosted by the Acting High Commissioner to the Peers, Parliamentarians, Diplomatic Corp and leading business personalities in the UK. Rt. Hon. Ian Paisley, MP, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Hon. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Chandima Weerakkody and Hon. Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Policy Planning of Sri Lanka Dr. Harsha de Silva attended the event as Guests of Honour.

Sri Lankan born Dr. Tanya Ekanayaka, one of United Kingdom's foremost concert pianists, an internationally acclaimed composer and a member of the academic teaching staff of the University of Edinburgh was the main guest artist. Visharada Nanda Kumara Sandagiri on violin and Mr. Chandana Fonseka on Tabla performed traditional Sri Lankan music at the event. The guests also highly commended the Tsunami Remembrance Photo Exhibition which is being held at the High Commission premises.

Photographs Sanjeewa Dias