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76th Independence Day of Sri Lanka celebrated in PH

Embassies at Work

76th Independence Day of Sri Lanka celebrated in PH

By Manila Bulletin

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines, H.E. Dr. Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa ceremonially hoisting the Sri Lanka National Flag together with children from the Sri Lanka community

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines celebrated Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day at the Official Residence in Manila on Feb. 4, 2024.

Ambassador H.E. Dr. Chanaka Harsha Talpahewa read the Independence Day Message of H.E. President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Sinhala language

Following tradition, Ambassador Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa ceremonially hoisted the National Flag, observed a two-minute silence in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives, and lit the traditional oil lamp together with Ven. Ratthapalo of Wisdom Park, Ven. Zhi Pu of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, Rev. Fr. Maximas Pushpakumar of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Swami Acharya Prem Shankaranand Tirth, Imam Yusoph Mama Pasawiran of the Imam Council of the Philippines, and the children from the Sri Lankan community.

Part of the ceremony was the lighting the traditional oil lamp of Sri Lanka by Venerable Ratthapalo of Wisdom Park; Venerable Zhi Pu of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple; Reverend Fr. Maximas Pushpakumar of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Swami Acharya Prem Shankaranand Tirth, Hindu High Priest; Imam Yusoph Mama Pasawiran of the Imam Council of the Philippines and children from the Sri Lankan community

Religious rites from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic traditions were conducted for blessings. H.E. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Dinesh Gunawardena, and FM M.U.M. Ali Sabry's Independence Day messages were read in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena's message was read in Tamil language by Bro. Stephen from the Institute of the Incarnate World - Our Lady of Sheshan House of Formation

Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya, Second Secretary of the Embassy, read the Independence Day message of the Hon. Foreign Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry in English language

The event was attended by Filipino well-wishers, the business community, and Sri Lankans residing in the Philippines. Following the official ceremony, guests enjoyed traditional Sri Lankan cuisine and received commemorative souvenirs.

Dr. Mariano Yupitun, Founder of Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc. (UWFI), Ambassador Dr. Chanaka Talapahewa, Venerable Ratthapalo, Lee Ki Min, incoming Director of UWFI, and Esther Teo Siao Ki, incoming Director of UWFI

H.E. Amb. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa (second from left), with Minavida de Mindanao Corporation executives: VP for Operations Shen Jian; President and CEO Michael Chen, Chairman, Philippine-Sri Lanka Business Council; and VP for Legal Atty. John Coluso

Representatives from FGS and BLIA Philippines attended the Celebration of 76th Independence Day of Sri Lanka at Sri Lanka Embassy Residence in the Philippines. They gave the New Year Greetings from Fo Guang Shan with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Calligraphy “May You Be Free as Cloud and Water, Auspicious and Joyful”. (From left to right) Jefferson Wang, Angelica Rose H Wang, BLIA Philippines Elder Advisor Committee Vice General Lourdes Wang, BLIA Philippines Director Bibiana Cheung, FGS Mabuhay Temple Venerable Zhi Pu, Ambassador Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, BLIA Philippines VP Kenny Cheung, BLIA Manila II Subchapter VP Janice Wu, VP Jennilyn Wang and Deputy Secretary Pao Cheung

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Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines

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