The Office of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles commemorated the 69th Anniversary of Independence with the representation of all communities on 04 February 2017 at the residence of Consul General in Pasadena, California.

The program commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by Consul General Hon. Swarna Gunaratne. The National Anthem of Sri Lanka was sung in Sinhala and Tamil. An observance of two minutes’ silence in remembrance of the fallen heroes of the nation followed. Buddhist religious observances were conducted by Ven. Ahangama Dhammarama Nayaka Thero,Chief Incumbent of Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara in Pasadena, and Chief Sangha Nayaka of the United States of America and Canada. Hindu observances were by Swami Shri Shastri of the Covina Hindu Temple. Christian observance was by Reverend Leslie Thomas of Fuller Seminary of Pasadena, and Faisal Buhari conducted the Islamic observance.

Consul General, in her address, stated that the commemoration of our independence is in many ways an occasion for us to celebrate the lives of our national heroes and to assess the path that our country has taken over the past 69 years. She also spoke about the plans to celebrate our motherland’s 70th Anniversary and called upon all community members to join in the celebration. The Sri Lanka Foundation Performing Arts Center welcomed the guests with a percussion and dance item. Click here for more pictures