Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai organizes a programme to mark solidarity towards the fellow Sri Lankan citizens in the wake of tensions triggered by extremist activities in Kandy

In display of solidarity towards the family members of fellow Sri Lankan citizens who lost their lives and properties due to the tensions triggered by some extremist activities in Kandy during the last week, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka has organized a special programme in coordination with the Sri Lankan community living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at the premises of Consulate General on Sunday 11^th of March 2018. The objective of this programme was to apprise the Sri Lankans in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on the cohesive measures that the Government of Sri Lanka has taken towards eradicating extremism and reinstating the harmony between all the communities in Sri Lanka. The programme also focused on enhancing the inter-community dialogues with a view to averting reoccurrences of similar incidents in future.

The Consul General Mr. Charitha Yattogoda, addressing the audience, reiterated the Sri Lankan Government’s commitment to creating a society that all the communities can live blissfully, sharing the equal dividends of economic development. Whilst also offering his profound condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones due to the tensions, the Consul General also highlighted the importance of creating a peaceful Sri Lanka, in which, the strength will be unity in diversity. He further called upon all the communities to act responsibly and stand together to fight against extremism and work towards a bright future.

With the view to invoke blessings on mother Lanka towards its harmony, the venerable priests/ religious leaders representing four major religions of Sri Lanka participated at the event. During their meaningful sermons, they highlighted the gathering on the importance of tolerance and respecting all the religions, ethnic groups and individuals.

At the conclusion of the addresses by the religious leaders, the floor was given to three individuals, representing the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim societies of Sri Lanka to address the gathering. All of them strongly condemned the recent attacks on certain community groups by extremists and emphasized the timely need of upholding the ‘Sri Lankanness’ on the way towards development.

In addition to over 150 Sri Lankans gathered at the event, both UAE and the Sri Lankan media have been invited to provide coverage for this unique programme. Actions were also taken to broadcast the program live on air through a UAE based radio-channel in order to reach out to the masses.

The programme earned a lot of positive feedback from all the community representatives of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.