Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha called on Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in the US to support economic promotion and strengthen advocacy of Sri Lanka.
He said while engaging with the US Government and State bodies to advance Sri Lanka’s political, economic, defence and socio-cultural cooperation, the Mission will reach out to all OSLs and seek to upgrade its service to the community - both directly and in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate in Los Angeles, the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and the Honorary Consuls spread through the country.
Ambassador Aryasinha made this call as he commenced work on December 14, 2020 as Sri Lanka’s appointed Ambassador to the USA, following multi-religious observances at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington D.C. He had earlier assumed duties while in quarantine on December 1, 2020.
A representative each from the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religions attended a simple ceremony organised by the staff of the Embassy to mark the occasion, while the Viharadipathis from several Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Arlington joined the gathering via zoom.
Proceedings
The proceedings began with the lighting of the oil lamp by the religious dignitaries, flanked by the Ambassador.
Conducting Buddhist religious observances, the most Ven. Katugastota Uparatana Thera, Viharadipathi of the Maryland Buddhist Vihara and Chief Sanganayake of North America, chanted seth pirith and invoked the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem on the Ambassador and staff. The most Ven. Dr. Aggamaha Panditha Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thera of the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara addressing the gathering, while recalling the outreach made to the Sri Lanka community during his previous posting in Washington D.C., also appreciated the pivotal diplomatic role played by Ambassador Aryasinha over the years in defence of the motherland.
Swami Ragupathi Kurukkal conducted the Hindu religious observances and blessed the Ambassador with a recital of Hindu prayers. The Kurukkal outlined the exemplary services of Ambassador Aryasinha for the unity and betterment of Sri Lanka’s communal harmony.
Rev. Father Dilantha Arachchilage of the Baptist Church in Potomac conducted the Christian prayers and offered his blessings to the Ambassador and staff. The Rev. Father emphasised the importance of involving the youth to harness their potential for community related events and activities.
Seyed Rizwan Mowlana, representing the Islam faith, recited verses from the Quran and invoked blessings on the Ambassador and staff. He emphasised the importance of celebrating Sri Lanka’s important religious and cultural events in Washington DC, which he said would go a long way for the revival of unity in diversity, among those of Sri Lankan origin living in the US.
– Courtesy: Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington DC