February 05, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan High Commission in Kenya commemorated Sri Lanka’s 76th Independence Day with an illustrious morning event held at the Kempinski Villa Rosa Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The gala was attended by distinguished guests, including Cabinet Ministers, the TRI Forces Chief of Kenya, and Deputy Governor of Nairobi City, His Excellency Njoroge Muchiri, who graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The event, attended by approximately 350 guests, saw the traditional Sri Lankan gesture of offering beetle leaves and Independence Day commemorative shawls to the attendees. High Commissioner Kana V. Kananathan hoisted the national flag, accompanied by the Sri Lankan national anthem played by the Kenyan Police Band.
Religious observances representing Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Muslim faiths were solemnly conducted, invoking blessings upon Sri Lanka. Most Venerable Gawaragiriye Premarathana Thero, from the Royal College in Colombo and Abhayarama Temple in Sri Lanka, added a sacred dimension to the event by conducting Buddhist religious observances.
High Commissioner Kananathan addressed the audience, emphasizing the significance of Sri Lanka’s 76th Independence Day and highlighting the country’s ongoing journey of economic recovery and development under the visionary leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He expressed confidence in the deepening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Kenya, fostering mutual growth and development.
An innovative activity that garnered attention was the lighting of the oil lamp, where Sri Lankan children aged 5-16 years from different ethnicities participated, deviating from the usual practice involving adults and VIPs. The Deputy Governor of Nairobi City, Njoroge Muchiri, praised Ambassador Kananathan’s efforts in strengthening diplomatic ties and facilitating Sri Lankan investments in Kenya and the broader African region, significantly enhancing trade and investments.
The celebration featured captivating cultural performances, showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and traditions, infusing vibrancy and festivity into the event. The attendees were treated to a brunch featuring Sri Lankan cuisine, providing a tantalizing taste of the island nation’s diverse culinary delights.
