72nd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence celebrated in Oman

Muscat: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman Lebbe Ameer Ajwad hosted a diplomatic reception to celebrate the 72nd Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman on March 1, 2020.
His Excelleny Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh bin Salim Al Mantheri, Chairman of State Council (Upper House) of the Sultanate of Oman graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. A high level delegation comprising H.E. Assayyid Saud bin Hilal bin Hamad Albusaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, Major General Mather bin Salim bin Rashid Al Balooshi, Commander of Royal Army of Oman, Members of State Council, Shura Council (Lower House), senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman participated at the occasion representing the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. Diplomatic corps including many ambassadors, diplomats based in Muscat, host government officials, academia, professionals, business leaders, travel agents, media and a large number of prominent members of the Sri Lankan community living in the Sultanate of Oman participated at the occasion.
The event commenced with a traditional welcome dance performed by the students of the Sri Lankan School Muscat and playing of national anthems of the Sultanate of Oman and Sri Lanka.
Delivering the welcome address, Ambassador Ameer Ajwad paid a tribute to Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour for the valuable contribution to strengthen the close relations between Sri Lanka and Oman for last 50 years and extended warm greetings and best wishes to the new Sultan, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Ambassador Ameer Ajwad highlighted the policies outlined in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ which aims at ensuring national security, people centric economic development, friendly and non-aligned foreign policy, for the prosperous Sri Lanka.
He also highlighted the growing economic engagement between Sri Lanka and the Sultanate of Oman and briefed the potential areas including trade, investment and tourism for collaboration between the two countries.
During the event, different aspects of Sri Lanka was promoted through a number of diverse activities such as cultural performances by the students of Sri Lanka School in Muscat, playing videos of Sri Lanka’s main tourist attractions, display of ‘So Sri Lanka’ brochures, display of promotional desks of Sri Lankan handicrafts, Sri Lankan spices, Noritake Sri Lanka porcelain products as well as promotion of Sri Lankan Airlines.
A Sri Lankan student who won 1st Runner up in “I-Sing World International Singing Competition” held in Sweden representing Oman last year, performed the wining Arabic song entertaining the guests. The guests were treated to an array of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine including hopers and kotthu rottis. A Ceylon tea lounge was separately organized enabling the guests to sample a variety of Sri Lankan teas. All guests were presented with gift bags containing premium tea from Sri Lanka Tea Board and booklets promoting ‘So Sri Lanka’ campaign from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.