RIYADH, Feb 5(Arab News): Sri Lanka's Independence Day was celebrated in the Kingdom on Friday with a call to Lankans in Saudi Arabia to plan an action-oriented program to live in unity so that there will be one people and one country among the Sri Lankans.

“We are people of one nation and we have to contribute our best to the socioeconomic and political developments of the country,” said Sri Lanka's Ambassador Ahmed A. Jawad during the festivities held at the embassy on Friday.

“As we forge ahead, we should also remember with gratitude the hundreds of soldiers who sacrificed their lives to maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lanka.”

The ambassador also thanked Lankan workers abroad who send $1.9 billion a year in remittances to the country.

“Out of these foreign remittances, a preponderant proportion is from Saudi Arabia since half-a-million Lankans are working in the Kingdom,” he pointed out.

Thanking the expatriates working in the Kingdom, the envoy said Saudi sponsors have praised Lankan workers as refined, loyal and dedicated.

“We salute them for the goodwill earned in the Kingdom by displaying traditional Sri Lankan qualities,” he said. 

The ambassador unfurled the Lankan flag amid the beat of Magul bera drums. Community members then joined the choir of the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh for the national anthem. This was followed by the recital of Jayamangala Gatha and observance of two minutes of silence in memory of fallen heroes in Lanka's recently ended conflict.

“Some members of the armed forces and the police paid the supreme sacrifice to defend Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and our long-cherished multiparty democratic system,” he added.

The traditional oil lamp was lit by the ambassador, diplomats and prominent community members to mark the day. Representatives from the Eastern Province also took part in the morning event.

The ambassador read out a message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa in English while it was delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil by Anil Sirimanna and Riaz Ayub.

Religious dignitaries from all faiths also prayed for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

The ambassador's wife Farzana distributed certificates and mementos among the students of Sri Lankan International.

In Jeddah, Consul General Sabarullah Khan hoisted the national flag at the consulate premises. A large number of expatriates living in the western region of Saudi Arabia were present at the morning function to meet and greet fellow Sri Lankans.