Reception in Celebration of the 56th Anniversary of the National Day of Malaysia
In conjunction with the celebration of the 56th Anniversary of the National Day of Malaysia, H.E. Azmi Zainuddin, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka hosted a National Day reception at the Hilton Colombo on Wednesday, 4 September 2013 to celebrate the occasion. The Reception was attended by approximately 280 guests, which consist of Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials, business community, media representatives and the Malaysian community residing in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Government was represented by the Honourable Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Senior Minister for Scientific Affairs of Sri Lanka, who was the Chief Guest of the evening. Other prominent dignitaries who were present include Hon. A.H.M. Fowzie, Senior Minister of Urban Affairs, Hon. Tissa Karalliyadda, Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, Hon. Jagath Balasuriya, Minister of National Heritage, Hon. Nirupama Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister of Water Supply and Drainage, Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugama, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs.
A simple ceremony was held to mark the occasion during which H.E. Azmi Zainuddin delivered a speech highlighting the development of Malaysia under the premiership of YAB Prime Minister and the long-standing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. H.E. Azmi was pleased to note that Malaysia and Sri Lanka continue to enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relations. Sri Lanka is also one of Malaysia’s major trading partners in the region as total trade between the two countries reached new milestones over the last couple of years. He was also proud that Malaysia is one of the leading investors in Sri Lanka. He expressed confidence that there are vast potential for cooperation between Malaysia and Sri Lanka in a multitude of areas for mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
Hon. Prof. Vitharana delivered a reciprocal speech on the behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka in which described the bilateral relations, with historical linkages that have spanned over two centuries, as friendly and mutually beneficial. He also highlighted the strength of the relations in terms of trade and economic cooperation, education, tourism and human resource development. Paying tribute to the leadership of the country, he stressed that Malaysia has been one of the developing countries which Sri Lanka has modelled its post-war development strategies. He also encouraged both countries to enhance collaboration in the field of scientific research and development where Malaysia has a competitive advantage.
The two VIPs proposed reciprocal toasts to the Heads of State of the two countries before ending the observance of the formalities with a cake-cutting ceremony. A Malaysian-styled buffet prepared by the hotel with delicacies such as satay, fried poh piah, bee hoon goreng, rendang daging, kuih lapis and sago gula Melaka were served to the guests.