Bangkok celebrates Independence Day

Sri Lanka Independence Day celebrations in Thailand was enlivened this year with a musical performance by the famous singer Visharad Nanda Malini.

Nanda Malini who was a special invitee was assisted by another well-known artiste Rohana Weerasinghe (serafina) and Dhananjaya Somasiri (Thabla).

They were flown to Bangkok by courtesy of the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce.

Their performance was highly appreciated by an enthusiastic gathering of Sri Lankans working and living in Bangkok who gathered at the official residence of Ambassador Prof. J.B. Disanayaka.

The musical performance was preceded by the hoisting of the National Flag by Ambassador Disanayaka followed by the singing of the national anthem.

After the lighting of the traditional oil lamp the gathering observed two minutes silence in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Disanayaka's address was followed by religious observances in all four major religions in Sri Lanka calling for the peace, well-being and prosperity of the country and its people.

Thereafter the Independence Day messages of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne and External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris were read.

The musical performance was followed by a luncheon for the Sri Lankan community that included officials from UNESCAP, Inter-governmental agencies, academic staff and students of the Asian Institute of Technology, the Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and other institutions and enterprises.

- Asian Tribune -