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Sri Lankan Independence Day message from the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE

It is an immense pleasure to congratulate the citizens of Sri Lanka living in the UAE on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of Independence of our motherland, Sri Lanka, which falls on February 4, 2021. We are a non-aligned and a sovereign nation that values territorial integrity with over 2,600 years of written history, unique culture and heritage. Today, we need to remember our forefathers and the veterans of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice, and some disabled for life to provide us a free and just society. 

At a time when the whole world is sailing through an unprecedented era in the face of Covid-19, we all continue to strive to live up to the best values of humanity. Lessons from the past year has taught us to triumph over all negativity that will confront us ever after with the fullest support of true friends like this host nation, the UAE. 

I gratefully recall all the assistance that the UAE extended to Sri Lankan citizens living in this country at this hour of need and am thankful from the bottom of our hearts to the legacy of the visionary leadership of the UAE. 

Mutual friendship between the two nations spans across four decades and citizens have mutually benefitted from this long-standing relationship for the betterment of the individuals and the development of the two countries. Over the years, relations between two countries have grown exponentially, covering a multitude of areas with mutual benefit. The bilateral trade and investments have been steadily increasing and the UAE is emerging as one of Sri Lanka's major strategic and economic partners. The two countries are geographically only four hours away and the air connectivity is rich with over 60 direct flights a week spurring an increasing number of inbound and outbound tourists. 

Currently almost 300,000 Sri Lankans are living in UAE and over the years Sri Lankans have been engaging in every sphere of activity in this country leaving an indelible imprint in the development of the UAE. 

In conclusion, I once again thank the Government of the UAE for its indispensable support at this crucial stage, which further enhanced the warm and cordial relations between the two countries. I would also like to call upon the citizens of Sri Lanka in UAE to continually contribute your energy and work collectively for a healthy relationship between two countries, which in return will reflect in the economic development of both countries. 

I wish you all the best, good health and prosperity.