(KPL) The Honorary Consul of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Lao PDR, Manilay Thiphalansy, and Dr. (HC) Damith Aluge hosted a gathering on February 4 to celebrate the 77th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day in Vientiane.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps in Laos, led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Turkish Ambassador, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for Laos, who offered their blessings to Sri Lanka.

Ambassadors and diplomats from the embassies of Cuba, Germany, India, Indonesia, Russia, the United States, and Vietnam visited the Sri Lankan consulate to extend their congratulations. Additionally, diplomatic missions from China, France, Hungary, Japan, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand conveyed their well wishes. 

Officials from the Sri Lanka–Laos Friendship Association, including its President, Savankhone Razountry, and General Secretary, Dr. (HC) Damith Aluge, also participated in the celebration.

The program featured the hoisting of the Sri Lankan national flag by Honorary Consul Manilay Thiphalansy, the singing of the national anthem, religious observances, and a moment of silence in remembrance of Sri Lankans who sacrificed their lives for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Messages from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake were read by Dr. (HC) Damith Aluge, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka–Laos Friendship Association, and Dr. Kalana Peiris, a Sri Lankan national working for the UN World Food Programme (WFP). 

In her speech, Honorary Consul Manilay Thiphalansy reflected on Sri Lanka’s history under colonial rule for 443 years—governed by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British from 1505 to 1948—and highlighted the unity of Sri Lankan leaders across ethnic backgrounds, including Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities, in the struggle for independence.

She emphasized that Sri Lankans can overcome challenges through unity, stating: “At this difficult time, we, as responsible citizens of Sri Lanka, have a national duty to work together to build the country and support the government in creating productive citizens, happy families, a disciplined society, and a prosperous nation.”

She also noted the strong bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and Laos, which are rooted in shared history and a common spiritual heritage guided by the teachings of Lord Buddha.

She cited the recent opening ceremony of the Bodhi tree at Ong Tue Temple in Vientiane as a symbol of this enduring connection.

KPL