Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Turkey marks Independence Day

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, prayers for a healthy year ahead marked the 73rd Independence Day of Sri Lanka in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Thursday.

Donning traditional dresses, religious leaders of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity led prayers soon after lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the Sri Lankan ambassador and other guests at the country’s embassy in Ankara.

“May people in Sri Lanka, Turkey, and around the world, see healthy, prosperous, happy, and blissful life,” the prayer leaders said in their separate sermons recalling the tragic coronavirus pandemic which has killed more than 2 million people since first reported in December 2019.

The tourism-rich South Asian nation celebrates the day, locally called National Day, as a holiday on Feb. 4 every year to commemorate the country’s political independence from British colonialism in 1948.

After the official flag hoisting ceremony, the prayer ceremony was led by Buddhist priest Katuwana Siddhaththa Thero, who traveled from Italy; Hindu priest Pirijwal Raj; Turkish Imam Ahmet Aktas and Reverend Father Seraphin Ngoie Kazadi.

Amid restricted participation by Sri Lankan citizens living in Turkey, Turkish guests, and the embassy staff, the country’s Ambassador Mohamed Rizvi Hassen recalled the help extended by Turkey to Sri Lanka’s to battle against the COVID-19.

“I am extremely thankful to you all who are here to show up with your good spirit, most of you all have traveled from various cities bravely during this challenging and stressful time with the pandemic. You all have shown true great allegiance to our motherland and the patriotism,” said Hassen.

- 73 years of diplomatic relations with Turkey

“We all, all over the world are presently going through the biggest challenge, trauma, and tension. The challenge is never thought of by our generation. The strong will and commitment of the people, the governments, leadership of presidents and blessing of Almighty entire world hopefully will overcome from the difficulties,” said the ambassador after messages of Sri Lanka’s president, premier and foreign minister were read.

“I am confident that strong and well-planned efforts of the president of Turkey and the Turkish government will defeat the pandemic and bring calmness and prosperity again to Turkey,” he added.

Hassen said 2021 marks the 73rd year of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Turkey.​​​​​​​

“Sri Lankans always admire the friendship of Turkey as a true friend. The friendship between the two presidents and their determination will enhance cooperation in a diverse array of fields to prosper longstanding brotherly relations the two countries enjoy,” said the ambassador.

“Similarly, the friendly relations we enjoy with Georgia and Ukraine will bring prosperity to the people of our countries.”

The Sri Lankan citizens in Georgia and Ukraine attended the event online as the country’s embassy in Ankara is also designated to the two countries.

He also recalled efforts made by his office to repatriate stranded Sri Lankans from these three countries to Colombo.

“With the help of Turkish Airlines, able officials of Foreign office and Immigration/Interior ministries of Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, and rectors and deans of universities in Turkey, Georgia, and Ukraine, we managed to repatriate many stranded Sri Lankans and students who requested our assistance to return to the motherland,” Hassen said, adding that four “humanitarian flights” were run from Istanbul to the Sri Lankan capital during the pandemic last year.