Message from H E the High Commissioner – 67th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka

February 4, 2015

On the occasion of the 67th anniversary of independence and the National day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to fellow citizens of Sri Lanka living in Australia and to the people and the Government of Australia.

Today, Sri Lanka celebrates its 67th Independence and National Day. We celebrate our Mother Lanka’s continuing commitment to democracy, pluralism, diversity of language, religion, ethnicity, race and culture. This year has been a significant one for Sri Lanka. The election to the sixth President of Sri Lanka was held on the 08th of January 2015. The resounding victory of      His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, is a manifestation of the trust and confidence, the people of Sri Lanka have placed on the leadership of His Excellency and his commitment to build a society where freedom, democracy, people’s sovereignty and law and order reign. Under the leadership of H E Maithripala Sirisena, a veteran in the political arena with over four decades experience, our country will further progress towards greater political stability and rapid economic growth.

The visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Sri Lanka in January 2015 is considered as a historical event as the visit happened at a time when there was a political transformation in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s democracy is one of the oldest, well tested and vibrant in South Asia. Voter turnout of 80% in the recent Presidential election bears testimony of people participation in Sri Lankan democracy. The diversity of Sri Lanka is the key to our unity. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy has been guided by non- alignment. Therefore, Sri Lanka enjoys close and friendly relations with all Member States of the United Nations.

Today Sri Lanka is stable and experiencing   economic revival, in an environment of peace and tranquillity forging ahead in reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The strategic geographical location of Sri Lanka, the political, economic and social stability, business friendly culture and the constitutional frame inspire and offer confidence to the investors.

Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia in 1949, the relations between our two countries have blossomed into a multi-faceted relationship with close cooperation and substantial degree of interactions both at the government, private sector and increased people-to-people levels. Sri Lanka and Australia have maintained excellent relations based on abiding trust, goodwill and mutual understanding and we greatly values the steadfast SUPPORT extended by Australia to Sri Lanka in challenging times.

The Ministerial level visits and the exchange of Parliamentary delegations between our two countries have further strengthened our bilateral cooperation and engagement in the recent past.

Australia is an important trading partner for Sri Lanka both as a significant market for exports and supply of raw material and intermediate goods.

Sri Lanka and Australia has been participating at numerous multinational and multi-agency forums in each other countries in the recent past depicting ever improving international engagement which is considered a healthy sign. The contribution of the Sri Lankan origins in Australia for the development of their adopting country is appreciated.

On this happy occasion, I thank all Honorary Consuls in Australia and the accredited countries Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and the Sri Lankan expatriates residing in those countries for their invaluable assistance which they extended for many years. I wholeheartedly invite all Sri Lankans living in Australia and the accredited countries to join hands and to contribute your invaluable knowledge and thoughts to make Sri Lanka a peaceful and prosperous nation. Your total dedication, devotion, determination and commitment to promote and develop Mother Lanka are of vital importance to promote our national economy. As Sri Lankans, we could work unitedly for the betterment of our country to develop a nation with dignity and strength for the future of our generation.

May the long–standing deep friendship between Sri Lanka and Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands continue to strengthen and consolidate for the mutual benefit of our two peoples.

Admiral Thisarra Samarasinghe

High Commissioner