62ND INDEPENDENCE DAY OF SRI LANKA CHANGE OF DATE AND TIME NEW DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010 TIME: 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM Dear Invitee, In view of the severe snow storm expected on Saturday, February 6, 2010, the Embassy is compelled to postpone the 62nd Independence Day Celebrations to Saturday, February 13, 2010. Please note that the celebrations will now be held from 1:30 pm - to 6:00 pm. However, the venue will remain unchanged. For more details, please call (202) 483 4025, (202) 403 1112 or (202) 352 0355. Any inconvenience caused due to this change, is deeply regretted.

 

SRI LANKAN EXPATRIATES IN THE U.S. INVITED TO CONTACT THE EMBASSY The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC is pleased to invite all Sri Lankans and Sri Lankan Americans throughout the US to establish contact with the Embassy. Please click here for the form.

CELEBRATES SRI LANKA’S 62ND INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya and the Embassy of Sri Lanka staff observed the 62nd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence Thursday with a stirring ceremony of thanksgiving that included Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian prayer services.

The ceremony opened with the raising of the Sri Lankan flag by Ambassador Wickramasuriya to the sound of traditional Sri Lankan drums and the national anthem.

Religious dignitaries then took part in the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and offered prayers of thanksgiving for the peaceful period that Sri Lanka now enjoys.

An Independence Day message from Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, was also read.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya noted that Independence Day in Sri Lanka this year has special meaning because Sri Lankan forces have eliminated terrorism after 26 years of conflict, freeing the population from fear.

“On this Independence Day, let us all pledge to do everything we can to ensure that this peaceful period takes hold,” Ambassador Wickramasuriya said. “Let us shed past prejudices and embrace each other as Sri Lankans."

Full Release

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA ON THE 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

Today we celebrate the anniversary of Independence after the liberation of the entire country from terrorist threat for the first time in 30 years. I am proud to proclaim that we are in a position to raise the flag of Sri Lanka with dignity in the entire country.

In 1815, Variyapola Sumangala Thero hoisted our flag on this historic land after lowering the Union Jack. I wish to pay my respect to the venerable monks as well as the revered clergy of all religions for their dedication and commitment displayed to preserve this freedom.

When I unfurled the national flag today, I remembered those heroic soldiers who sacrificed their lives and limbs for the freedom of the country and all those who worked with dedication for the liberation struggle.

Please click here for the full speech

 

PRESIDENT OBAMA VOWS TO CONTINUE LONG LASTING RELATIONS WITH
SRI LANKA

The President of the United States of America Barack Obama said the US stands ready to continue their long-lasting bilateral partnership to help build a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

The US President in a message of congratulation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the occasion of country's Independence Day said for the first time in over a generation, Sri Lanka is not under the shadow of terrorism.

Full text of the message by the US President

62ND INDEPENDENCE DAY HAS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE - PRESIDENT

The 62nd anniversary of independence we mark today has special significance being the first such celebration of our freedom since the defeat of terrorism in our country last year, and also as it takes place soon after our people have expressed their firm and resounding commitment to democracy, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Independence Day message.

The freedom from colonial rule that we gained 62 years ago is now more meaningful, the President added.

As we move into the new era of peace in our country, we are ready to face the challenges of the future. It is necessary that we give equal priority to the tasks of national reconciliation and the building of trust among all sections of our people, as well as to development that will take us to our rightful place in the community of nations, he continued.

On this historic and significant anniversary of freedom, let us re-dedicate our nation to the ideals of peace, tolerance, mutual trust and progress, in the democratic tradition our people have cherished and protected as the oldest democracy in Asia, President Rajapaksa further stated.

Please click here for H.E. the President’s full text of the Independence message

Please click here for the Hon. Prime Minister’s full text of the Independence message

Please click here for the Hon. Foreign Minister’s full text of the Independence message

STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA OF SRI LANKA TO A SECOND TERM

WASHINGTON (January 27, 2010) - President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a historic and resounding victory in the Presidential Election held yesterday (26), the first free and fair election in which the entire country could participate in nearly three decades, and also the first such election since the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in May last year.

The people of Sri Lanka have spoken and they have voted for an end to division, an end to terrorism, and for a new beginning of peace and prosperity.

We are proud at this demonstration of the vitality of our democracy.

President Rajapaksa, who called this election two years before the end of his first six year term, to get a fresh mandate from the entire country, thanks those who supported him to achieve this massive victory, and also thanks all those who voted for the other candidates in the spirit of, and belief in democracy; helped ensure a peaceful election; and for their commitment to the democratic process. He is proud at being the first President for almost three decades who can rightly claim to have the widest mandate from all of Sri Lanka.

Following this unparalleled victory, the President assures that he will work with utmost vigour on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, considering himself as the leader of all Sri Lankans, and expresses his determination to make this to be Sri Lanka’s decade.

Amidst the new surge of democratic feeling, President Rajapaksa sees the need to put behind the challenges of the past, driven by violence and division, and continue the work already initiated to heal those wounds of the past and give ear to the new needs and aspirations of the people.

The results of this election marks an exciting time for Sri Lanka, for many reasons. Firstly, it endorses Sri Lanka’s commitment to peace. President Rajapaksa intends to ensure that we build on the peace already achieved and move towards a full reconciliation programme, and that our land is respected around the world for justice and equality of rights

Indeed, across Sri Lanka, one already sees the fruits of securing peace, in enhanced development, new investment both Sri Lankan and foreign, new infrastructure development and the rise of entrepreneurship. There is an upswing in the economy endorsed by international financial institutions.

Emergency measures taken to defend the country and people against terrorism will be dismantled, not hastily but in due course, and in keeping with the proper security considerations.

President Rajapaksa conducted this election campaign with the promise of taking the country to a prosperous future. Therefore, the policies of government in the years ahead, will lead to Sri Lanka embracing prosperity. No one will be left out, or left behind in the new prosperity of the country.

The mandate given to the President by the people has also taken note that for many years, international observers have regarded our economy to be a success despite significant problems faced. Now, we will be an even greater success because we have resolved the most pressing problems.

For those in the north and east of our country, including many who have been displaced, President Rajapaksa acknowledges the hardships they have experienced; and is determined to ensure that they are supported to rebuild their lives. In the period ahead, areas that were once populated by mines and characterised by fear, will be filled with crops, new skills, and characterised by hope.

The President has a detailed programme to improve the whole of Sri Lanka, building on the steady economic foundation developed by the Government in the last four years. The country’s factories will be modernised and workers will begin producing higher value goods; the service sector will be improved, markets will be expanded and new areas of economic activity explored. The country’s energy supply will be brought up to 100% removing power shortages from the country once and for all, and new and sustainable sources of energy will be developed and harnessed.

New homes, roads, airports and ports are being built and new water supplies, both for drinking and irrigation are being developed, bringing the evidence of progress, peace and prosperity for all to benefit from.

The policies of the President are aimed at bringing the world to come and experience the real Sri Lanka. Tourism will have and important place in economic planning and investment. In other fields, too, investors will see the opportunities available because of Sri Lanka’s highly skilled workers, significant resources and proud work ethic. The expansion of Information Technology will be actively encouraged, and the New Sri Lanka will see more jobs for youth, better training, better services, and improved quality of life.

Sri Lanka will quickly move from a country known for brain-drain, to one of brain-gain, with the new incentives by Government, and new economic activity that will draw Sri Lankans back to their motherland.

There were many, both in Sri Lanka and abroad, who criticised President Rajapaksa’s policies to bring an end to violence and terrorism that threatened our own people, as well as our region. They alleged that the measures taken by the government undermined democracy.

The overwhelming mandate given to President Rajapaksa in this election has given the answer to these critics. The people of Sri Lanka, democratically and very clearly, have shown that they are now free of threats, free of fear, free of terrorism – and they have shown they support the measures which have freed them.

Today, the President says to all those who have criticised him and his policies in this regard, often out of ignorance, that it is the time to set aside these differences and join in helping Sri Lanka to achieve its goals of progress through democratic means.

President Rajapaksa’s call at this moment of electoral victory is for all Sri Lankans to set aside their differences, and come together to help build the nation on the firm foundation of the peace achieved, and strengthened by the people’s own faith in democracy, in the oldest democracy in Asia. He calls upon all to transcend differences of ethnicity, religion and politics to join in the great task of nation building, and also invites all friends of Sri Lanka to join in this admirable venture.

Presidential Secretariat
Colombo

January 27, 2010

 

MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA WINS 2010 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Sri Lanka looks for Brighter Future

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa has been elected the 6th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka prompting Celebrations Island wide. The people of Sri Lanka made the historic decision on Tuesday (Jan 26) at the 2010 presidential election by casting over 57.88% of their votes to President Rajapaksa.

The election is the first national election held since the country's victory over terrorism in May 2009. Incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, representing the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) called for the polls two years ahead of the end of his six-year term stating that he wanted a fresh mandate after the liberation of the north and east where no peaceful election could be held in the past few elections.

According to election observers, the election was held freely and fairly with a healthy voter turnout of over 70%.

Election commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake officially declared the victory of President Rajapaksa at his office in Colombo.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking to media said that his victory is actually a peoples' victory.

"From today onwards I am the president of all whether they voted me or not, so my duty is for all of them" he added.

Full Release

Presidential Election Results 2010

 

FOREIGN MINISTER BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Briefing the Colombo based diplomatic community following the completion of the Presidential Election, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama said there were several reasons why the poll could be described as ‘momentous’: it was the “first electoral process to have been held on a nationwide basis after our country was liberated from the menace of the terrorism that threatened for over 2 ½ decades our territorial integrity and our peace and prosperity”: it also showed that “despite the difficulties and hardships they had to endure and overcome during this long period, the commitment to democratic governance of our people was not in any way dimmed, but rather encouraged to burn even brighter”: and, the election took place in an atmosphere of peace when compared to some earlier occasions on which the then prevalent sinister and anti-democratic forces did everything within their power, to intimidate voters from casting their ballots.

Full Release

EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA
COUNTRY INFORMATION UPDATE
JANUARY 27, 2010

PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSA ELECTED TO SECOND TERM WITH STRONG SHOWING IN LARGE VOTER TURNOUT

WASHINGTON - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected to a second term Tuesday, garnering 57.8 percent of the vote and defeating his chief opponent, retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who received 40.1 percent of the ballots cast.

President Rajapaksa drew on heavy support from voters throughout Sri Lanka. Voting was lighter in the north, where the 26-year-long conflict against the LTTE terrorist group was successfully concluded by the government under President Rajapaksa in May 2009.

In all, 22 candidates ran for president.

Election commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake officially declared the victory of President Rajapaksa at his office in Colombo.

Speaking to media, President Rajapaksa said that, "From today onwards I am the president of all whether they voted me or not, so my duty is for all of them."

Please click here for the full report

 

62ND ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF SRI LANKA

The Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington D.C. wishes to inform all members of the Sri Lankan Diaspora that arrangements are now underway to celebrate the 62nd Independence Day of Sri Lanka from 4.00pm - 8.00pm on Sat. 06th February 2010 at Wheaton High School Auditorium, 12601, Dalewood Drive, Wheaton, MD 20906.

The celebrations will include a reception, followed by a cultural program.

In case you have not received an invitation to this event yet, please contact the Embassy (Ms. Champa - Tel: 202 483 4026 - Ext. 8108 / Ms. Carmelyne - Ext. 8111) at your earliest.

 

IMF UPGRADES SRI LANKA’S STATUS TO MIDDLE INCOME EMERGING MARKET

Tel. +94-11-5837589, 2424995, 5861937, Fax : + 94-11-2424995.
After Office hours - Tel: 2323015, Fax : 2446091
Email : Prb@formin.gov.lk