Sri Lanka-UAE: Paving the route to a harmonious relationship

Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Many freedom struggles of humankind have aggrandised the story of human progress. We Sri Lankans too have inherited a long history of such struggles that brings forth memories of grief and glory, from the times of our Kings to that of modern democracy. The nation is indebted to our forebears, whose selfless sacrifice of sweat and blood has brought about the freedom in which we breathe today.
It is at a challenging and decisive moment, that we celebrate the 69th Independence anniversary this year. The responsibility of strengthening the recently secured democratic freedom, as well as ensuring it is enriched by indigenous wisdom so that all communities could live with dignity, lies on our shoulders. We have been able to overcome a dark era and reillumine our insurmountable aspirations for democracy, freedom, and human dignity. However, the realisation of the true meaning of freedom and independence lies in our potential to free ourselves from the shackles of all kinds and forms of poverty, ill-health, and confines of divisive identities of race, religion and caste, and enrich ourselves as a society that values equity and rights of all. We are a nation that deserves to live a prosperous life in a country where peace and justice and equality prevail.
It is my sincere wish that we continue to prosper by vanquishing ignorance by knowledge, untruth by truth, hatred by compassion and violence by non-violence, and become a compassionate nation.



Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
As Sri Lanka celebrates the 69th Independence Day, I believe that we are also celebrating the second anniversary of the election of Good Governance Government. In order to make the spirit of freedom more meaningful to us all, the Government must take steps that reaffirm the liberties of people with regard to their economic, social and spiritual well-being.
During the last two years, we have been able to achieve many steps in the right direction; restore democratic values, rebuild relationships with friendly nations and affirm mutual trust, while focusing on revitalising the economy towards laying the foundation for a nation that has overcome various differences and is firmly anchored on principles of freedom and human values.
Only a path that unites all can pave the way for a stronger Sri Lanka, a path that calls for what each of us can give of ourselves to our nation, to our common future, and to a better tomorrow.
May we as Sri Lankans possess the courage and the determination to choose that path this Independence Day.



Mangala Samaraweera, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs
On the 69th anniversary of Sri Lanka's Independence, I extend warm greetings to all Sri Lankans and persons of Sri Lankan origin who live and work across the world in different capacities.
 Our nation's journey since February 4, 1948 has been mixed with achievements that we can be proud of, as well as challenges fraught with pain and anguish.
Following the decisive step taken under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to form a National Unity Government, we proceed on the path of formulating national policies required to ensure our nation's progress as a strong democracy, where good governance, the rule of law, individual rights, justice, freedom, and the dignity of all are upheld; the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious nature of our country is cherished and celebrated; where all forms of discrimination are denounced; and we build a strong nation with equitable economic development that would be at peace with itself and with the world, working together with the international community for the benefit of all.
The path we have chosen for ourselves is a challenging one. The task of nation-building is one that requires dedication and commitment of all Sri Lankans living both in Sri Lanka and overseas.
 As we approach the 70th year of our Independence, I urge all of you to seize this historic moment in our nation's history to contribute your strengths, goodwill, energy, skills and wisdom to build an inclusive and prosperous nation that is reconciled and at peace, so that we march forward as the brothers and sisters of one family, with respect towards all, to ensure the non-recurrence of conflict and build the Sri Lanka of our dreams as proud citizens.

Thalatha Atukorale, Minister of Foreign Employment
On the great occasion of commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka's Independence, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all Sri Lankan citizens in the country and abroad.
All Sri Lankans today are proudly celebrating the 69th Independence Day, commemorating the phenomenon of Sri Lanka being established as a sovereign state after ending colonialism.
Sri Lanka has a long and impressive history with rich cultural tradition, and great leaders have plunged to life, into the heart of experience, and given to the nation visions of human excellence.
All Sri Lankans have contributed and united as a country to achieve all the victories. National leaders in the past, who were greatly committed to free our nation from colonialism and gave leadership to freedom struggle, as well as the war heroes, who had sacrificed their life to liberate our country from terrorism, will be respectfully remembered and honoured at this occasion.
His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickramesinghe were capable of directing the national and political reconciliation of the country towards a new direction to strengthen the socio-democratic freedom to our country. Therefore in the future, it is our prime duty to unite all nationalities in the country together to achieve these goals by facing challenges together.
As Sri Lankans, our responsibility is to protect the freedom we experience today for our future generation. The future of our children would depend on what we do for our country today. Hence, let us commit in performing our duties and obligations for the prosperity and independence of the country, and unite with all nationalities in the country.

S J Mohideen, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the UAE

It is with real sense of pride that we Sri Lankans in the UAE commemorate the 69th anniversary of achieving independence from British rulers. For centuries our destinies were determined by and firmly controlled well and truly in the hands of foreign nations until some of our late leaders fought a relentless battle. Owing to their untiring efforts, we were able to achieve freedom without shedding even a drop of blood.
It is a well-known fact that several political leaders, who were in the forefront of our struggle for independence, were from the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, all of whom put aside all their differences - religious and political - for the common cause of gaining freedom for the whole country.
Our country has had a democratic system of Government, fashioned in the "Westminster" pattern, where the Parliament was supreme. We are now experiencing an "Executive Presidential" system of Government with an elected Parliament on the votes of the people.
Another unique experiment was put into place in 2015 where two major political parties joined hands to set up an administration to govern for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka. All differences, political or otherwise, were forgotten and a Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the President from both sides of the great divide. It appears that the experiment has worked to a large extent, in spite of repeated efforts by few morons who are determined to derail the smooth functioning of this successful union. Even the world at large seems to have recognised this "happy marriage" between the two major parties, which has resulted in a considerable amount of stability within the country, so much that there is a considerable amount of goodwill and respect shown towards our country by most leaders even in the western world.
At the recent World Economic Forum, our Prime Minister was the cynosure of all eyes when he played a swashbuckling role in promoting the cause of our country with tremendous results. It was so impressive that the next World Economic Forum in 2018 may well be held in Sri Lanka.
It is also very refreshing to note that the present UAE Government has now appointed Ministers for Tolerance and Happiness, paving the way for a harmonious relationship between our countries, and this I am certain will open doors for more fruitful associations in all spheres - be it religious, educational, economic and other connected fields that can be of mutual benefit.
Let us all on this solemn occasion rally round our flag and re-dedicate ourselves to create a country filled with an atmosphere of peace and tranquility and live as a proud nation.

Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General of Sri Lanka, Dubai and Northern Emirates
I have great pleasure in extending my sincere greetings and best wishes to all Sri Lankans living in the UAE on this auspicious occasion, the 69th anniversary of the Independence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979, the relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE were based on trust, friendship and mutual understanding. Sri Lanka and the UAE have been enjoying cordial and friendly relations in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and economic cooperation over decades. The UAE is the largest export market for Sri Lankan products and the largest source of imports to Sri Lanka in the Gulf region. The total bilateral trade between the two countries has surpassed $1.34 billion in 2015.
Since its inception in 1993, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka has been rendering yeoman service to Sri Lankans living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in addition to promoting Sri Lanka's trade and investment in the region. The Consulate General is also promoting employment opportunities to the Sri Lankans living in the UAE in liaison with the relevant authorities, institutions and other organisations.
In the last year, with a view to provide an enhanced service to fellow Sri Lankans residing in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the Consulate General took steps to upgrade its website with comprehensive details with regard to consular and labour services, thereby minimising the time spent by those who wish to obtain such services. In addition, we also made it possible for Sri Lankans living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to register on our website in order to provide and promote easy access between the Consulate and the community.
I hereby kindly request all the Sri Lankans living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to register themselves on our website by providing required details through the web link in the homepage, so that it would be possible to reach them when required, especially to update with new developments including the activities of the Consulate General.
Further, I am also pleased to inform that our website will be translated to both Sinhalese and Tamil shortly, in line with the Government's vision of achieving all inclusive national reconciliation. This will be done in addition to the introduction of a passport courier system to provide a convenient service for Sri Lankans who reside far from the city limits.
The year 2017 heralded a radiant era for the Sri Lankan economy, in line with His Excellency the President's vision of driving the country towards sustainable development, which envisages to collectively include the efforts of people from a larger cross section of society towards development of the country regardless of religious, ethnic and cultural barriers. We, as a nation, are successfully heading towards to becoming a middle income nation, where the dividends of the development are enjoyed by all, under the stewardship of His Excellency the President and the Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and all other Highnesses and Supreme Council members of all emirates and their authorities for supporting us to look after the well-being of Sri Lankans in this country.
Once again on this special day, I convey my best wishes to all my fellow Sri Lankans living in the UAE. Long live UAE-Sri Lanka relations and Happy Independence Day of Sri Lanka!!!