The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil celebrated the 72nd Independence Day of Sri Lanka on February 4 at the embassy premises in Brasília.
The event attended by Sri Lankan expatriate community and embassy staff, began with the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador Musthafa M. Jaffeer and delivering of messages from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene.
The Ambassador, delivering his speech, said that the conviction of Sri Lankan people in a system that respects and values freedom, democracy, diversity, development and a unified country, has helped the nation to overcome challenges faced over the years since Independence.
He highlighted the new government’s resolve, under the leadership of the President and the Prime Minister, to build a secure, unified, and prosperous nation. Underscoring the milestone of 60 years of diplomatic relations with Brazil, Ambassador Jaffeer affirmed Sri Lanka’s desire to engage with the country more vigorously to bring dividends, especially, in the economic sector.
The Director General of Department of India, South and South East Asia, Maria Izabel Veira, representing the Brazilian Government, stated that Brazil was proud to host the sole Sri Lankan embassy in South America since 2001. Noting the dialogue established at high and parliamentary levels, Ms Maria stressed the need to increase the trade, investment and tourism flow from both countries which are currently below its potential.
The embassy also hosted a reception, later in the evening, at Porto Vittoria, Asa Sul to mark the National Day along with the 60th anniversary of the setting up of diplomatic relations that Sri Lanka and Brazil are celebrating this year. A large number of Brazilian government representatives, high officials, diplomatic corps, business community, academia, journalists, religious dignitaries and Sri Lankan expatriates attended this event. Visitors experienced sumptuous dishes from Sri Lanka and samples of variety of teas from the country. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasília in the coming months has planned to host a number of commemorative events in Brasilia, in collaboration with Brazilian authorities, to mark the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, including a Sri Lankan photographic exhibition and a film festival.