SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR ATTENDS IFTAAR DINNER AT THE WHITE
HOUSE AMBASSADOR SUBASINGHE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT BUSH
Ambassador Devinda R. Subasinghe meets President Bush following
Iftaar dinner at the White House
Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States Devinda R. Subasinghe
was among the Ambassadors and Muslim Leaders in the US who were
invited by President George W. Bush to attend the Iftaar dinner
hosted by the US President at the White House on Wednesday November
10, 2004. The event is held annually to celebrate Ramadan - a
month of fasting, prayer, worship and contemplation. Sri Lanka
also was included among the President’s invitees at the
2003 Iftaar dinner.
Addressing the gathering, President Bush said, “as we
gather during this holy month, America is stronger and more hopeful
because of the generosity and compassion of our Muslim citizens.
Our nation is safer and more prosperous because we have a close
relationship with our Islamic friends around the world. And tonight
we honor the traditions of a great faith by hosting the Iftaar
dinner here at the White House.
Noting the political transition in Afghanistan and Iraq, the
Presidet remarked, “the elections in Afghanistan and Iraq
will be counted as landmark events in the history of liberty.
And America will always be proud of our efforts to bring liberty
and hope to those nations. Freedom is not America's gift to the
world; freedom is the Almighty God's gift to each man and woman
in this world.”
President Bush assured that over the next four years, the US
will engage in efforts to ensure freedom for more men and women
in the broader Middle East by working closely with the leaders
in that region. The President paying homage to the late Sheik
Zayid, the founder of the United Arab Emirates said, “he
was a wise leader and America joins the people of the UAE in honoring
his memory.”
Ambassador Devinda R. Subasinghe in his meeting with President
Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser
and Secretary of State Designate Dr. Condoleezza Rice, was assured
of continued US support for Sri Lanka’s peace process and
economic development. Sri Lanka Ambassador’s participation
in the Iftaar dinner is a reflection of the recognition the US
accords to the rich multi - ethnic nature of Sri Lanka’s
society in which the Muslim community continues to play an equally
significant role.
Imam Faizul Khan, of the Islamic Center Washington D.C., led
the blessings on the occasion. The invitees for this event included
members of the diplomatic community, dignitaries from countries
where there is a preponderance of Muslims and senior officials
of the Administration. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary
of Energy, Spencer Abraham, National Security Adviser and Secretary
of State Designate Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Chief of Staff Andrew
Card, Deputy National Security Advisor and National Security Advisor
Designate Steven Hadley, comprised the senior administration officials
among others.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA
10 November 2004
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