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The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka put together an imaginatively curated and impressively executed show to celebrate the 77th.Anniversary of India’s independence on Tuesday.

Dance performances choreographed by Sri Lankan Guru Vasuki Jagadeeswaran and performed by the students of Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo were based on songs associated with India’s freedom struggle. Among those featured were Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn Vaishnav jan to tene kahiye by Narsi Bhagat, Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and the theme song of Netaji Subhas Bose’s Indian National Army.

What was innovative in the choreography was the weaving together of Indian and Sri Lankan dance forms – Bharatnatyam and Kathak from India and the Kandyan and the Low Country styles from Sri Lanka. And when finally, a dancer dressed as Mother India and carrying the national tricolour walked on to the stage to the strains’ of Allama Iqbal’s Sare Jahan Se Achcha, the audience spontaneously went into a full-throated “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (Victory to Mother India).

As per a long and healthy tradition, the Sri Lankan naval band was in attendance entertaining the audience with their tuneful rendering of popular Indian numbers.

The video on India-Sri Lanka relations was in refreshing contrast to the run-of-the-mill presentations that would make the audience yawn. This one captured the entire range of the relationship, not with dry statistics, but with appropriate and snappy video clips from the speeches of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar.

Thar the relationship stands for mutual benefit and that India is a reliable friend were projected pithily and effectively.

The rendering of the Indian National Anthem Jana Gana Mana by a 100-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ricky Kej caught the large audience by surprise. The pièce de résistance was majestic and uplifting.

Independence Day was celebrated in different parts of Sri Lanka. The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay hoisted India’s National Flag and inspected the Guard of Honour. He also read excerpts of the address by the President of India Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day.

For the first time, the High Commissioner administered the Panch Pran pledge, by which those present resolved to shed the slavish mentality, uphold the culture of India, commit themselves to nation-building and make India a developed nation by 2047.

The High Commissioner and officers of High Commission of India paid homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial to honour Indian soldiers of the IPKF who made the supreme sacrifice defending peace and unity of Sri Lanka.

Special events were organized by the Assistant High Commission in Kandy, Consulate General in Jaffna and Consulate General in Hambantota as well on the momentous occasion.

This year’s Independence Day celebration is a culmination of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, a global campaign to commemorate 75 years of a progressive and self-reliant India.

Since 2022, India has embarked on a journey of 25 years of India’s transformative growth – ‘Amrit Kaal’ – to make India a developed nation by 2047.

Members of the Indian community enthusiastically celebrated this Independence Day by participating in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, as well as by recounting the stories of growing up in India and paying tributes to the motherland under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign.

Sri Lanka’s Media Minister & Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said that with his approval, the Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Rupavahini had leased the airtime of Channel Eye to Lyca Group for a limited period.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (15) the Minister said that the airtime of Channel Eye was leased for Rs. 25 million per month.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena said cabinet approval was not necessary for it.

The Minister said that in the future, the airtime will be leased following a competitive bidding process.

Sri Lanka’s opposition raised concerns on Monday (14) over an agreement struck by the government with a privately-owned foreign broadcasting organization, to sell the air-time of Channel Eye, a television channel owned by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC).

Speaking to the media on Monday (14), Politburo member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa revealed that the government has sold the air-time of Channel Eye to a company named VIS Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd. for a period of 6 months, effective from the 30th of July 2023.

“The organization named VIS Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd. has bought air time of Channel Eye to broadcast a channel named SBC TV. From what we know, SBC TV is linked to Lyca Mobile”, he said.

During his presence at the annual festival of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar today (15 Aug), President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to transform Mannar into an energy hub.

He also revealed that an inter-city express train service between Thalaimannar and Colombo will commence on 15 September aiming at enhancing connectivity and facilitate smoother travel between the two cities.

It is also noteworthy that President Wickremesinghe participated in the morning service of the feast this year.

Subsequent to the main ceremony, a revered statue of Lady Madhu was respectfully carried in procession throughout the church grounds to pay homage to the devoted attendees.

A significant number of devotees from various parts of the island gathered for the annual feast. The year 2024 marks the completion of 100 years since the enshrinement of the revered statue of Lady Madhu. The church management board has decided to hold services throughout the year to commemorate this occasion.

Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka, who attended the main service, commended President Wickremesinghe’s statement in Parliament regarding National Peace and Reconciliation. He mentioned that this statement has received the blessings of the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

Rev. Dr. Brian Udaigwe emphasized that religious leaders have a crucial role in maintaining peace and harmony in the country. He also stressed that whether a religious figure divides or unites the country is determined by their own actions.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further commented:

It must be acknowledged that the annual feasts of the National Shrine of Lady Madhu are an integral part of our local culture. Therefore, considering this festival as a national event, the government bears the responsibility of safeguarding and supporting its continuation.

Furthermore, on this occasion, I extend the government’s gratitude to all the clergy who dedicate themselves to organizing the annual Madhu feast.

Numerous devotees come here to seek solace through prayers to Lady Madhu. During last year’s economic crisis, a substantial number of devotees gathered here to pray for Lady Madhu’s assistance and protection. It can be said that Lady Madhu’s blessings provided us with strength during that challenging time.

The Mannar region, where the National Shrine of Lady Madhu is located, possesses abundant renewable energy resources. With access to solar, wind, and green energies, the Mannar district can be developed into an energy hub.

We have also formulated plans to transform Punarin into an energy city. It is important to note that all these development initiatives are designed to preserve this sacred land and its forests. I have instructed officials to seek advice and guidance from the clergy here during these development efforts.

An inter-city express train service from Thalaimannar to Colombo is scheduled to commence on the 15th of September. This service is being launched in response to the request of MP Charles Nirmalanathan. Additionally, steps have been taken to establish a sugar factory in Vavuniya, as requested by MP Selvam Adekkalanathan.

Cabinet approval has been obtained for this project. These measures aim to facilitate rapid development in these regions. Through these endeavors, we aspire to build a developed Sri Lanka by 2048. I count on your support in achieving this goal.

The event was attended by bishops led by Bishop of Mannar Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, clergy including President of the Christian Development Foundation of Sri Lanka Dr. Chandru Fernando, Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister Naleen Fernando, State Minister Arundika Fernando, Kader Mastan, Member of Parliament Kavinda Jayawardene, Selvam Adekkalanathan, Charles Nirmalanathan, President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, and a large number of devotees.

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An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will visit Colombo in a month’s time for the first review on Sri Lanka’s loan programme, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The Washington-based lender approved a nearly $3 billion bailout for crisis-hit Sri Lanka in March. The Asian island is struggling with its worst financial crisis in over seven decades, triggered by a severe shortage of foreign exchange.

The first review will take place from September 14 through the 27 and considers the programme’s performance until end-June, and if approved by both the staff and the executive board, would allow a disbursement of around $338 million.

The previous IMF’s staff mission to the country was in May, when the Fund’s authorities said that “the overall macroeconomic and policy environment remains challenging.”

Source: Reuters

An express train service between Talaimannar and Colombo will begin from September 15, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Speaking to the devotees at Madhu Church in Mannar, the President said a TNA MP played a significant role in resuming the express train service.

“I would like to thank TNA MP Charles Nirmalanathan for the role he played in getting the express train service started. I would also like to thank others who worked on the project,” he said.

The President also revealed that the government had approved the setting up of a sugar factory in Wanni.

“TNA MP Selvam Adeikalanathan was instrumental in getting this project on track.

“We have to make use of the sunlight, wind and the trees in this area. Therefore we have begun the initial discussions to start a project to set up solar panels on the Poonaryn tank. The North will be a center of power supply by 2040,” he added.

“Madhu is an indigenous religious festival. Therefore, it can be considered as a national event. The government therefore will assist the church to develop this historic place of worship,” he assured.

The Holy Mass of the Annual Feast of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu will take place on Tuesday (15) morning.

The Annual Feast of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu will culminate on Tuesday (15).

The Holy Mass will be presided over by His Excellency Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe – the Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka.

Thousands of Catholics have made their way to Mannar to part in the festivities.

The Holy Mass of the Annual Feast of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu will be televised live on Sirasa TV from 6 AM.