NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER OF SRI LANKA IN AUSTRALIA
December 31, 2013
Ayubowan, Wannakam, Assalamu Alaikum !
On behalf of the members of the Staff of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra as well as on my own behalf, I am pleased to extend my best wishes to His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, members of the first family, Consuls General of Sri Lanka in Sydney and Melbourne, all Honorary Consuls for Sri Lanka in Australia and other accredited countries, Sri Lankan community in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and citizens of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu a peaceful, secure, prosperous , healthy and a Happy New Year.
The New Year begins with abundant hope to fulfil the aspirations of our motherland for progress and prosperity as a nation and a land of peace and unity for our future generation. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the current Chairperson of the CHOGM, our country has a stable and a strong Government to transform Sri Lanka as the emerging ‘Wonder of Asia”. Our country has been progressing based on the “Mahinda Chintana” to uplift the quality of lives of the people through our home-grown development strategy. Nation building process, reconciliation process, infrastructure constructions, road network and development projects in various sectors are developing. Our economy is improving unprecedentedly. Sri Lanka has also focused on the creation of new wealth, through a robust Hub strategy, where the maritime, aviation, knowledge, commercial and energy sectors, together with tourism. Sri Lanka is now recognized as a country with a “Middle Income Emerging Market” status. Significant increase of per capita income and reduction of absolute poverty are key achievements of the post conflict period.
Therefore, I appeal in earnest, to all Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan Australians to join hands and to contribute your invaluable knowledge and thoughts to make Sri Lanka a peaceful and prosperous nation. National unity is key to both unity and development of Sri Lanka. Therefore, your total dedication, devotion, determination and commitment to promote and develop our Mother Lanka are of vital importance to promote our national economy. As Sri Lankans, we could work unitedly for the betterment of our country in the year of 2014 to develop a nation with dignity and strength.
I wish you and your families all the best and offer you my most heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for your support that you extended in numerous ways for the Government of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Community and the Sri Lankan High Commission. May the year 2014 bring prosperity, good health and happiness for all Sri Lankans, both at home and here in Australia and other accredited countries. Once again, my family along with the staff of this High Commission join in wishing you all the best in the year to come.
Happy New Year!
Admiral Thisarra Samarasinghe
High Commissioner
31st December 2013