UAE has become a 'second home' for many Sri Lankans: Envoy

The family-oriented event will see an exciting line-up of activities and attractions.

With about 250,000 Sri Lankan expats living in the UAE, the community is to come together today at Zaabeel Park to commemorate their Independence Day.
Although the country celebrates its official Independence Day on February 4, the celebrations in Dubai today will mark two occasions - the 70th anniversary of its Independence Day and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Consulate-General of Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Charitha Yattogoda, Consul-General of Sri Lanka, highlighted the friendship between two countries since the establishment the diplomatic relations in 1979. Speaking about the uniqueness of Sri Lanka's bilateral relationship with the UAE, Yattogoda said: "The uniqueness of Sri Lanka's bilateral relationship has many facets. At present, the UAE has become a 'second home' for a number of Sri Lankan professionals who represent leading industries in the UAE. It has also become one of the best countries for average blue-collar workers to get employment and support the economy at home, while also contributing to the progress of the UAE's own economy.
"The UAE is one of the largest trade partners of Sri Lanka, among the top 10 importers and exporters of Sri Lanka. In addition, tourists from the UAE account for a considerable chunk of the tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to Sri Lanka.
Talking about the focus of the UAE-Sri Lanka ties, Yattogoda said: "The rationale for opening Sri Lanka's resident mission in the UAE in 1979 was entirely due to the presence of a large number of Sri Lankans in the UAE. It is currently estimated that around 250,000 Sri Lankans, are employed here. Though the focus has been mainly on labour relations at the initial stage, subsequently necessity had arisen in actively promoting bilateral trade, investments and tourism relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE.
"Due to the rapid pace that Dubai has been developing in the past two decades, a number of employment opportunities were created for the Sri Lankan professionals, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workforce." 
Greeting the Sri Lankan community on the occasion, Yattogoda said: "Let me use this occasion to place on record my sincere appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, to the Sri Lankan community based in Dubai and the northern emirates, for the immense support they rendered throughout the year, shoulder to shoulder, in all of our endeavours.
"It is my strong desire to see my countrymen projecting and representing our land in this region as goodwill ambassadors of Sri Lanka. On this occasion of the anniversary of Sri Lanka's 70th Independence Day, I invite all my fellow countrymen to join hands as one nation, based on the notion of nationhood, in promoting Sri Lanka's rich values in this part of the world and to make our motherland proud about its sons and daughters.
The Consulate-General of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan community-based in Dubai and the northern emirates, is hosting a unique event titled Sri Lankan Day 2018 today at Zabeel Park from 10am till 11pm.
The family-oriented event will see an exciting line-up of activities and attractions including a 'UAE-Sri Lanka friendship walk' aimed at signifying the strong relationship between the two countries.
The special day will also feature activities related to Sri Lanka's Independence Day along with a culural show, depicting the rich Sri Lankan cultural heritage, in addition to food stalls serving authentic Sri Lankan food.
saman@khaleejtimes.com