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Three score and counting... Sri Lankan Independance Celebrations in Sydney |
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Aubrey Joachim writing exclusively for Ozlanka |
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Six hundred or more expatriate Sri Lankans from New South Wales packed the Cherrybrook Community Centre on Saturday, February 9th to celebrate the 60th anniversay of the Independance of their motherland. This event, extremely well cordinated and organised by the Sri Lankan Consul General's Office along with various Sri Lankan Associations in NSW, has grown in stature over the years. It brings together Sri Lankan diaspora from all religious and ethnic backgrounds. It is perhaps the one annual event where Sinhalese, Tamils, Malays, Moors and Burghers from Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian background all sit side by side, share in food and drink and enjoy entertainment and listen to speeches that review the good times as well as troubes that Sri Lanka has endured since having won its independance from colonial rule.
Among the distinguished invitees were Sri Lankans from the business community as well as the past Presidents of the various Sri Lankan Associations in Sydney.
The event commenced with the unfurling of the National Flag of Sri Lanka by the chief guest His Excellency Mr Kusumsiri Balapatabendi The High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, accompanied by the singing of the National Anthem by the young students of the North Parramatta and Blacktown Sinhala schools. This was follwed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the chief guest, the Acting Consul General Mrs Gothami Indikadahena and young children representing the Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, Malay and Burgher communities - the main ethnic groups from Sri Lanka.
With the history of Sri Lanka steeply entrenched in religious tradition, the next aspect of the celebration was religious observances by clergy from the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christan faiths. The common theme in all of the prayers was that the nation be blest with peace, harmony and tranquility.
As has been the practice over the years, Independance Day messages from His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse were read in Sinhalese, Tamil and English. Messages from the Honorable Prime Minister and Minsiter of Foreign Affairs were also read out. Well done to the young ladies and gent who did an excellent job in reading out these messages with grace, poise and perfect diction.
A number of speeches followed. H.E. Mr Balapatabendi, the High Commissioner traced the history of the colonisation of Sri Lanka leading up to the struggle for independance by stalwarts from all ethnic backgrounds. He reminded the audience that unfortunately the last 25 years of independance had been consumed with the fight against terrorism. Mr Balapatabendi also mentioned the close ties that Sri Lanka had made with Australia, a relationship that dates back to the first year of independance. The Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia was only the fourth foreign mission to be set up by the then newly independant Ceylon. He also mentioned the close cricketing ties that existed between the two countries.
The Honorable Henry Tsang OAM MLC addressed the gathering as representative of the Honorable Premier of NSW Morris Iemma. Mr Tsang has certainly developed a close relationship with the Sydney Sri Lanakan community and holds them in high esteem.
Three Sri Lankan community organisations presented well thought out opinion pieces.
Dr Erangi Perera from SPUR speaking about the "Importance of Independance" discussed the current predicament facing the country due to terrorism suggesting that unfortunately true independance is not enjoyed by all. While highlighting all the magnanimous projects that SPUR has done back in all parts of Sri Lanka, she appealed to all expatriate Sri Lankans to support humanitarian pursuits in the motherland.
Mr Lal Rankothge, spokesperson for the Australia-Sri Lanka Forum spoke of "Responsibilities of Australian of Sri Lankan origin, united we achieve, while divided we lose everything". The key point of his presentation was the need for the Sri Lankan diaspora to work closely with the Australian political establishment in order to draw attention to its issues both within the Sri Lankan community in Australia and in the context of its conflict issues at home.
Mr Kumar Athulathmudali, President of the Sri Lanka Association of New South Wales, spoke on the "Importance of social cohesion and harmony among the Sri Lankan community" arguing that irrespective of the differentiated objectives, philosophies and ideologies of the various associations there was the overwhelming need to rally under the one common Sri Lankan flag and speak as one voice.
The highlight of the formal part of the evening was as usual the recognition of the high achievers among the Sri Lankan HSC students. This segment, that has been organised by the Sri Lanka Association of NSW for the last seven years brings together the next generation of Sri Lankan diaspora who are the future leaders of the community in both a Sri Lankan as well as Australian context. The financial sponsors of the HSC awards over the last seven years have been the Raymond family and the Soertsz family and this year Mr Russell Raymond and Mr Frank Soertsz joined the High Commissioner on stage to present the students with trophies and certificates. The Asoka Nanayakkara Memorial Trophy for the best performing HSC student was presented by Mrs Kumudini Nanayakkara to Widuranga Wijeratne who shared a few thoughts and words of wisdom.
Mr Harin Kodikkara did an excellent job in compering the formal part of the proceedings. He certainly brings a sense of interest by his comments and style.
Acting Consul General Mrs Gothami Indikadahena presented a vote-of-thanks in which she sincerely acknowledged the tremendous efforts that were put in by all those involved in the planning, cordination and execution of this event. Her extensive list covered every association and person involved.
A welcome break in proceedings allowed people the opportunity to network and share food and drink. The distinguished guests were entertained to refreshments organised by the wonderful ladies of the Feel for Life group.
Following the intermission the cultural program commenced. Cultural items in the form of multi-lingual songs and dances were presented by various groups from the Sinhalese Cultural Forum, The Old Boys of the Ceylon German Technical Training Institute, SCATTS, Sandya & Janeesha Alahendra, Mrs Rajani Fonseka, the SCF Tharuna group as well as the Sri Lanka-Australia Malay Association. Individual vocal performances were given by Tilak Ekanayake, Reggie Dissanayake, Raja Yogan, Bonny Fernando and Ayomi Bosco while a young Miss Temarie Senadheera gave two excellent violin renditions of popular Sri Lankan songs.
Acting Consul General Mrs Indikahahena and her staff need to be congratulated on an event that has become better over the years and is certainly a significant event in the calendar of the New South Wales Sri Lankan community
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