Sri Lankans mark 64th Independence Day on Saturday
The Sri Lankan embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate-general in Dubai are organising various events to celebrate the occasion
Abu Dhabi: Sri Lankan expatriates in the UAE are celebrating their country's 64th Independence Day on Saturday.
The Sri Lankan embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate-general in Dubai are organising various events to celebrate the occasion. There are about 250,000 Sri Lankans living in the UAE.
Sarath Wije Singhe, Sri Lanka's ambassador to the UAE, and M.M. Abdul Rahim, the country's consul-general in Dubai, will hoist the Sri Lankan national flag at separate ceremonies at the embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai respectively.
The ceremony at the embassy in Abu Dhabi begins at 7am while the function at the consulate starts at 9am. Messages from Sri Lanka's President, Prime Minister and foreign minister will be read out after the rendition of the national anthem.
A spokesman of the embassy said prayers for the welfare of the country and its people will be offered.
The embassy will host a reception for invited guests on Tuesday at 7 pm at Hilton Hotel Abu Dhabi. Sri Lankan cultural troupes in the UAE will perform at the event. The consulate will also host a reception for invited guests on Monday at 7:30 pm at Le Meridian hotel in Dubai.
