Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa hosts reception to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of Independence

As part of the series of events to commemorate the 77th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, the High Commission in Ottawa hosted a reception for Canadian government officials, diplomats, political leaders, members of the Sri Lankan community in Ottawa and others. The High Commission on 4th February 2025 hoisted the National Flag at the Ottawa City Hall for the first time, followed by formal National Day events. 

The dignitaries graced the occasion held on 07th February 2025 included Assistant Deputy Minister of Global Affairs Canada for the Indo-Pacific region Weldon Epp, Member of Federal Parliament Chandra Arya and High Commissioners and Ambassadors from SAARC, ASEAN and GCC countries. 

Congratulatory messages from the Governor General of Canada Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary May Simon, Speaker of the Senate of Canada the Honourable Raymonde Gagne, Speaker of the House of Commons the Honourable Greg Fergus and many members of Federal Parliament were received by the High Commission. 

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner U. L. Mohammed Jauhar highlighted key areas of bilateral ties, focusing on strengthening them on economic and trade spheres. He elaborated on the landmark achievements in bilateral cooperation and significant high level visits in the past that shaped the direction of the relations. The High Commissioner briefed the gathering about Sri Lanka's new political and economic priorities, underscoring the country's commitment to stability, governance, and reforms. He introduced the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainability and good governance.

The High Commissioner outlined the recent initiatives spearheaded by the High Commission to enhance the bilateral cooperation which included the charity bicycle ride from Colombo to Jaffna to raise funds, entrepreneurship training programme to benefit Sri Lankan-origin youth in Canada as well as a culinary safari to promote tourism. 

Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, speaking at the event, emphasized the importance of supporting Sri Lanka and the newly elected government. He termed it as an opportunity to strengthen inclusivity and governance while also presenting Canada with a chance to broaden and enhance its relationship with Sri Lanka.

Assistant Deputy Minister Weldon Epp highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between Canada and Sri Lanka and echoed the High Commissioner’s call for further strengthening the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and development. He also reaffirmed Canada's commitment to supporting reconciliation and good governance in Sri Lanka. He acknowledged Sri Lanka's progress in economic recovery, governance, and democratic reforms, and commended the resilience of its people. Recognizing the contributions of the Sri Lankan diaspora in Canada, he stressed the need for deeper engagement in education, technology, and entrepreneurship. 

The event concluded with an array of  Sri Lankan culinary experience, featuring authentic Sri Lankan dishes prepared by a well known Sri Lankan origin chef which showcased the rich cultural and gastronomic highlights.

High Commission of Sri Lanka
Ottawa
03 March 2025