Expatriates mark Sri Lanka's national day

Sri Lankans in Oman yesterday celebrated the 53rd anniversary of their country's independence with a pledge to work even harder for the promotion of friendship between the island and the Sultanate.

Some 450 leading members of the community, belonging to different religions, gathered at the Sri Lankan embassy to take part in the flag-hoisting ceremony presided over by the new ambassador, Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, and also vowed to work in unison for the peace and prosperity of their motherland.

The traditional oil lamp was lit as a mark of unity. Young students of the Sri Lankan School sang the national anthem and other patriotic songs and performed a tableau. Ansar, who was chief of protocol in Colombo before taking over the present assignment last November, read out the messages of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramnayke, and Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, all underlining the growing need for safeguarding the integrity and identity of the nation.

Later, talking to Gulf News, Ansar, who has served earlier in Jakarta and London, said his primary concern is not only to strengthen bilateral ties, especially in the economic field, but also to further mobilise the 35,000-strong community which is already contributing to the development of Oman.

"We are proud of their contribution to the progress and prosperity of the host nation through their hard work, dedication and loyalty." He paid rich tribute to the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for turning Oman into a modern state.

Ansar said the people of Sri Lanka have a deep-rooted commitment to democratic traditions, having enjoyed universal adult franchise uninterruptedly since 1931. The re-election of President Kumaratunga for a second term and the renewed mandate for the People's Alliance during the parliamentary polls have further strengthened the island's democratic institution.

He noted that despite the war against separatist terrorists and the steep increase in the price of crude oil in recent months, Sri Lanka has posted a healthy 6.5 per cent growth of the GDP in the first half of 2000. "No wonder, we have the highest literacy and life expectancy rate in South Asia."