To mark the 70th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin organized a series of events in addition to the official ceremony at the Embassy on 4th February 2018. The celebrations included a reception for the diplomatic community on 5th February, a reception for the Sri Lankan community on 6th February and a Cultural Evening at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy on 7th February.
With the intention of promoting and showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich culture, the cultural troop of the Tri Forces of Sri Lanka visited Berlin on the invitation of the Embassy to perform at the said three events, which gave the invitees an opportunity to witness the vibrant and colorful nature of Sri Lanka’s traditional cultural performances.
A grand reception was held on 5th February 2018, at the Maritim proArte Hotel Berlin, which was attended by over 200 dignitaries including Ambassadors, senior officials from the German Government, leading businessmen, prominent Sri Lankans residing in Germany, journalists and other friends of Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering Ambassador Karunasena Hettiarachchi, highlighted the recent socio, political and economic developments in Sri Lanka and commended the German Government for its friendly assistance to Sri Lanka throughout the years.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Germany, Ambassador Markus Potzel, Commissioner for South Asia of the Federal Foreign Office, congratulated Sri Lanka for its achievements and noted the growing relations between Sri Lanka and Germany characterized by goodwill, mutual respect and understanding. He also commended the political progress and steps taken towards safeguarding democracy, rule of law and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Following the reception for the diplomatic community in Berlin, a separate event was organized on 6th February 2018, for the Sri Lankan community living in Germany. The National Anthem was sung in both Sinhala and Tamil languages and multi faith religious observances were held to invoke blessings upon Sri Lanka and its people. The Independence Day messages of His Excellency the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs were read accordingly.
Addressing the Sri Lankans at the reception, Ambassador Hettiarachchi, emphasized the significant changes and developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and the National Unity Government. He also encouraged the Sri Lankans residing in Germany to extend their fullest cooperation towards the efforts carried out by the Government of Sri Lanka to bring a new era to the motherland.
In order to mark the 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence, the Embassy also took measures to 
organize a ‘Cultural Evening’ in collaboration with the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin on 07th February 2018. A large gathering comprising of Ambassadors, diplomats, cultural attachés of Berlin based Embassies, German artists and Sri Lankans living in Germany, attended the event, in which the cultural troop of the Tri Forces performed a combination of several traditional dances and drum beats depicting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage for the delight of the invitees. The celebrations concluded with traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.
08th February 2018
Embassy of Sri Lanka, Berlin