Germany Celebrates 61st Independence Day of Sri Lanka

By Lalith Ganhewa in Berlin for Sri Lanka Guardian

(February 06, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lankans domisiled in Germany celebrated the 61st Indipendence Day of Sri Lanka in the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin and in the consulate in Frankfurt on Wednesday (4th Feb). Round 200 invitees were present at the Embassy in Berlin for the celebrations. ( Images)

The official programme started off with the hoisting of the National Flag in the Embassy grounds followed by singing of the National anthem in the main Hall. Religious observances of all religions being practiced in Sri Lanka, i.e. Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian and Muslim were conducted. Buddhist religious observances was conducted by venerable Thero Dikwelle Seelawimala from the Berlin's Buddhist House in Frohnau followed by Hindu, Christian and Islamic religious observances.

President Rajapaksa's massage was read out by Ambassador T.M Maduwegedara, followed by the messages of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador T. B. Maduwgedara said "…the 61st independence day of Sri Lanka is a significant year as the Nation is at the end of closing up a brutal era of LTTE terrorism in the country which has almost taken the period of one generation. Let us share the freedom and happiness on this day with all Sri Lankans in Germany and all over the world, especially with the people librated from the LTTE areas".

Ambassador Maduwegedara called the Sri Lankan Diaspora living in Germany to do their best to support the development of the country. He appealed specially to the Tamil Diaspora not to contribute to the LTTE or its front organisations in Germany financially.

In addition to the Celebrations in Berlin, there were Independence Day celebrations in Frankfurt and in Bonn. The Frankfurt event was held at the Sri Lankan Consulate and the other at the Bonn Buddhist Temple. Both these events were organised by the Consul General in Frankfurt Mr. Buddhi Athaudda.

Speaking to an audience of around 500 Sri Lankans at both places, Mr. Athaudda said "….. This Independence is very significant to all Sri Lankans living abroad, we have a history of 2500 years, our country has been suffering from Terrorism for so many years, and with a clear vision and determination to eradicate terrorism from Sri Lanka. President Rajapakse is serving the country in the midst of enormous pressures, conspiracies and resistance from western countries to stop his fight against terrorism, especially some western Nations which are influenced by LTTE lobby. Therefore we, the Sri Lankan Diaspora living in Germany who loves our country has a special mission to strengthen the Hands of President Rajapakse to finish this fight with all these evil forces and the LTTE. We should contribute in whatever way we can in Germany to support Sri Lanka".

The Sri Lankan Independence Day Celebrations were accompanied by two demonstrations in Berlin.

The Pro-LTTE, anti government demonstration, in central Berlin was attended by around 4000 Tamil demonstrators who came from all over Germany. The organising body of this demonstration was Tamil People Resurgent's Group and Tamil Eeelam Welfare association in Berlin.

According to reliable information from the Tamil community, food and transportation was organised and paid for by these organisations. The satellite television channel G TV beamed from Nepal was broadcasting anti government programs for the past few weeks, and calling the Tamil Diaspora to join the demonstration in Berlin.

According to information received from the silent anti LTTE Tamil Diaspora in Berlin, around 25 to 30 organisers of this demonstration has meet 14 days before the Demo in Berlin at a Shop in Leyker Strasse in Berlin, with around 20 to 25 Persons from Berlin. They included representitives from: the Hindu Temple in Urban Strasse, Tamil school in Berlin, "Elaiyar Amaipu" (TYO Branch Berlin) and the Catholic Community, requesting them to support with logistics of the demonstration.
They have ordered 7000 parcels of food from a Tamil Sub Contractor who supplies food .
Although the organisers expected a much larger gathering, due to an internal conflict within the community in southern Germany, some Tamil groups absconded the demo in Berlin.

In addition to this, there were two small spontaneous demonstrations in front of the German Foreign Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Berlin.

The Anti LTTE demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin, had less than 100 participants, this was organised by the initiative "Sri Lankaner gegen LTTE Terror – Deutschland". The demonstrators held placards and banners though out the day, in front of the Embassy. They distributed leaflets in German about the civilians and the UN Staff forcibly held by the LTTE in Mullaitivu.

Two days before the 4th of February the Sri Lankan Embassy was attacked by some unknown group. The German Police are refusing to give any information as the investigations are still continuing.-Sri Lanka Guardian