SRI LANKA EMBASSY CELEBRATES SRI LANKA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2008

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC will celebrate Sri Lanka’s 60th Anniversary of Independence, at the Auditorium of the University of the District of Columbia, (Van Ness Campus), from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, February 3, 2008.

Sri Lankans living in the Greater Washington area have been invited to participate in the event.

The traditional celebration includes playing of the National Anthem, the reciting of Jayamangala Gatha, lighting the traditional oil lamp, multi-religious observances, reading of the President’s Prime Minister’s and Foreign Minister’s Independence Day messages and the address by Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke.

The highlight of the celebrations will be the cultural program, graced by the State Dance Ensemble, comprising fifteen talented professional dancers and directed by renowned Ravibhandu Vidyapathi. The cultural program also includes performances by the 'Sigiri Lalanavo', the Ranga Kala Kavaya dance group, and a Bharathanatyam.