Sri Lankans in Seychelles celebrate country’s 67th Independence anniversary |09 February 2015

Sri Lankan nationals in Seychelles commemorated the 67th anniversary of their country’s independence with a cultural performance yesterday.
During the ceremony, held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS), a message for the occasion from the newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was also read.

Sri Lanka gained independence from Great Britian on February 4, 1948.

The ceremony yesterday was attended by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, the new Minister for Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Jean-Paul Adam, the Sri Lankan high commissioner to Seychelles Rajatha Piyatissa, as well as local and Sri Lankan  dignitaries.

In his address for the occasion, Minister Meriton said independence is one of the most momentous events in the history of a country as it symbolises the birth of a nation.

“It is a moment when a people steps out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and another begins. It is a moment where the long cherished aspirations materialise and the hope for prosperity is renewed.

“On the 4th day of February every year, we are reminded of the trials and tribulations, the sacrifices and struggles that your forefathers endured in pursuit of the freedom and values you hold so dearly as a democratic nation. You derive pride from your achievements on the long walk towards sovereignty as you learn from past experiences to shape a better future,” said Minister Meriton.

He added that our two island nations are bonded by a longstanding and a mutually benefiting relationship which has grown even deeper in the past few years.

“The year 2014, brought renewed momentum in our diplomatic ties, fortified by the second visit of then President Rajapaksa to Seychelles in June. This monumental visit spearheaded many new collaborations between Sri Lanka and Seychelles and the year became one of the most eventful in our bilateral relations yet.

“Most notably, the visit saw the accreditation of H.E Rajatha Piyatissa the first resident high commissioner of Sri Lanka to Seychelles and the official opening of the Sri Lankan resident diplomatic mission in Victoria.  

“We also witnessed the official opening of the Mihin Lanka Office, the Nawaloka Hospitals International medical centre, the Bank of Ceylon and a branch of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation in our capital.

“The June 2014 visit also saw the signing of six agreements between Sri Lanka and Seychelles in the fields of trade and investment, education and training, health, diplomacy, sports, tourism and culture, and thus strengthened the multifaceted partnership between Seychelles and Sri Lanka. The success of the Seychelles trade and business forum in Sri Lanka in August 2014, is testimony of the massive economic potential that exists between the two nations,” noted Minister Meriton.

The minister also commended the excellent cooperation between the Maritime Training Centre and the Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (Cinec) which again demonstrates the potential of exchanges between our educational institutions. 19 Seychellois students successfully completed their basic training certification and sea watch course run by Cinec and MTC.

Minister Meriton took the opportunity to convey sincere appreciation to all the Sri Lankan nationals living and working in Seychelles.

“You continue to make remarkable contributions to the socio-economic development of our country, the well-being of our people and the capacity building of our young Seychellois. We also thank the local Sri Lankan association for their dynamism and active participation in local activities and for their voluntary work such as blood donation efforts which are greatly appreciated by the Seychellois people. You are a wonderful example of the spirit of brotherhood that binds our two peoples together,” said Minister Meriton.

After reading out the Sri Lankan President’s message, High Commissioner Piyatissa read his own message in which he described his country’s independence as an achievement that every Sri Lankan is very proud of.

“It is however more significant that we achieved our independence with the united effort of all Sri Lankan communities consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Malays and Burghers. Today we stand as a proud and united Sri Lanka with a 2,600-year heritage,” he said.

Like Minister Meriton, he noted the strong bond of friendship between Seychelles and Sri Lanka which started with the visit of President James Michel to Sri Lanka in 2012 which was reciprocated by the island’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2014.

He said this bond will be even more strengthened under the new government of President Sirisena.

He also said that the setting up of the new high commission of Sri Lanka in Seychelles almost a year ago and that of the Seychelles in Colombo last October, has helped immensely in opening the door of friendship between the two countries.

The ceremony started with the hoisting of both the Sri Lanka and Seychelles national flags in the ICCS grounds. This was followed by the lighting of lamps by the Seychellois ministers and Sri Lankan officials.

The lighting of the Sri Lankan traditional lamp means bringing light to darkness in Sri Lankan culture.

The ceremony was followed by a cultural performance from both Sri Lankans and Seychellois. There were children’s dances, group songs by both adults and young children.