Sri Lanka celebrated its 72nd independence anniversary as a nation during solemn yet glamorous rites held recently at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila in Makati City.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., who graced the occasion as special guest, vowed to pursue deeper ties between the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In his speech, he referred to the decades of civil war and division and conflict the country had undergone and commended the energetic development and sustainable progress that can be witnessed at present. He also stated that the Philippines hopes to learn many valuable lessons in the manner by which Sri Lanka achieved victory. He further stated that;
"I take this opportunity to reiterate my personal commitment and that of my government to continue fostering deeper and stronger relations after six decades of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Sri Lanka."
Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera, in her remarks, was optimistic that the existing good relations between the two countries provided an excellent platform for broadening the horizons of bilateral cooperation with deepened bonds of friendship between the two peoples.
The cultural evening showcased “So Sri Lanka” the Resplendent Island and was made colorful by live performances of traditional dance sequences and a wide array of delectable spices infused in Sri Lankan cuisine that were served to the guests. The evening was also one of the series of events that the Sri Lankan Embassy undertook together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau to project Sri Lanka as an emerging tourism destination for enthusiastic Filipino travelers.
Members of the diplomatic community, Philippine government officials, business sector, tourism industry players, media, cross section of Sri Lankans based in the Philippines and friends of Sri Lanka, attended the event.
In further strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations, Secretary Locsin at the reception committed to re-establish the Philippine Embassy in Sri Lanka before the end of 2020 when completing six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The press articles that appeared are as follows:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1093120 http://pageone.ph/dfa-sec-locsin-vows-deeper-ph-sri-lanka-…/
https://www.travelifemagazine.com/so-sri-lanka-resplendent-island-event/
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