The 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence was commemorated in the UK recently with several events taking place.
This year marks not only the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence but also of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the UK.
 High Commissioner Saroja Sirisena addressing the Independence day celebrations
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 The High Commissioner with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle
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 Former UK PM David Cameron and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner at a discussion at the CEOs Forum
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The High Commission of Sri Lanka organised most of these events in collaboration with the British Sri Lankan Diaspora community.
Starting on February 2, 2023, the High Commission organised a lunch for Chief Executive Officers and senior members of British Companies that do business with Sri Lanka or have the potential of investing in Sri Lanka which was hosted at Dorchester Hotel.
Enormous potential
In attendance was the former Prime Minister of the UK, David Cameron as the Chief Guest. It was hosted by David Rose, Chief Executive Officer of Garment Service Group. Rose and his company have a long association with Sri Lanka running into four decades. Former Premier Cameron spoke of the enormous potential of the country as it faces the present economic challenges.
He also marvelled at the resilience of the Sri Lankan Diaspora by stating that in the UK there is a Sri Lankan for everything whether it is politics, sports, healthcare, law, the news, entertainment or business.
High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Saroja Sirisena said that she was privileged to say that most of them are products of Sri Lanka’s free education system beneficiaries and can be considered as the nation’s contribution to the fabric of the UK’s multicultural development.
The traditional evensong, a service of evening prayers, psalms, and canticles, conducted by the Westminster Abbey on Sri Lanka’s National Day was held on February 3, in the presence of the High Commission staff and members of the British – Sri Lankan community who attended the event while the Canons blessed the Sri Lankan leaders and the people and prayed for the country’s prosperity. During the evensong the High Commissioner read the sixteenth verse of the twenty-eighth chapter of the gospel according to Matthew.
On February 4, 2023, the High Commission held the National Day event with the participation of members of the Sri Lankan community in the UK. Faith leaders representing Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity offered prayers for the nation.
Community participation
At this event, children of the members of the Council of Sri Lankan Muslim Organisations (COSMOS) sang the National Anthem of Sri Lanka in Sinhala while members of “ Muthuhara Rupavahini UK” sang two Sinhala songs. Students of Usha Raghavan of Kalasagara UK presented dance performances.
The National Day event in 2023 with community participation was held after two years as the community members could not be invited to the events in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid pandemic. Those present appreciated that the event was an inclusive occasion where members of the Sri Lankan community of all ethnicities were present and united in solidarity with the occasion.
The audience was in awe at the participation of the young Sri Lankans of the second and third generations at the event indicating their interest and keenness to reconnect with the country of their parents or grandparents. During the proceedings, there was a raffle for an air ticket to Sri Lanka, which was sponsored by Jeremy Soertsz, the Country Manager and Chinthaka Weerasinghe the Regional Manager of Sri Lankan Airlines. The winner was Leonard Munasinghe.
On February 8, under the stewardship of the Sri Lanka High Commissioner, a diplomatic reception was hosted for the members of the Houses of Parliament, officials of the UK Government and diplomatic dignitaries in the UK.
Historical ties
The Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle who was the Chief Guest at the reception spoke of Sri Lanka – UK relations which are bound, by historical ties as well as in the context of the Commonwealth. The Sri Lankan High Commission has planned more events during the 75th anniversary year and taking into consideration the current economic challenges in Sri Lanka, all these events have been fully funded through sponsorships from the British and Sri Lankan companies without tapping into Sri Lankan public funds.