The High Commission of Sri Lanka celebrated the 61st Independence Day of Sri Lanka at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London today with the participation of a large gathering. Sri Lankan nationals of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds attended the event. The Minister of Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, Hon Bandula Gunawardena who was in London to promote the Treasury Bills & Bonds of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka was the guest of honour.

The event started with the hoisting of the National Flag by His Excellency the High Commissioner Justice Nihal Jayasinghe and playing of the National Anthem. Multi-Religious Observances by Buddhist, Christian and Muslim Priests followed. The Hindu priest was not able to attend the celebration as he was threatened by the LTTE sympathisers.

The National Day statements of H.E. the President, Hon.Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs were read to the gathering. The High Commissioner then addressing the gathering said that the independence of Sri Lanka was achieved 61 years ago as a result of a long struggle for over five centuries. Sri Lanka started its struggle to become an independent state just after the arrival of Portugese in 1505 and ultimately it gained independence from the UK in 1948. Today, however, we are on the verge of defeating the menace of LTTE terrorism which infested the country after the Independence. We all have to remember the history on a day like today and also respect our valiant soldiers who are defeating the LTTE.

Hon. Bandula Gunawardena addressing the gathering said that today the country is closing in to the victory under the leadership of H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

A traditional refreshment of Kiribath, Kevum, Hoppers and Thosai were served to the gathering.

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