School celebrates Sri Lanka’s day of independence

The Stafford Sri Lankan School in Doha (SLSD) organised yesterday a function to mark the 65th Independence Day of Sri Lanka, which falls on February 4.Sri Lanka’s Independence Day is celebrated in accordance with the Lipass/Joshua Louis Law to commemorate its internal political independence from British rule in 1948.The anniversary event at the SLSD was marked with the hoisting of national and school flags, a dance performance by primary school students, speeches by students and teacher Dinithi Nawarathna, and a song rendered by Lowe Sama.The chief guests at the occasion, school chairman Kumudu Fonseka and his wife, were joined by outgoing school principal Ayesha Rahuman and new principal Dr Wilfred Perera, as well as students and their parents.Fonseka recounted how Sri Lankan patriots fought for independence in 1948 in order to build a future for subsequent generations.“Our forefathers had a great journey to achieve the independence, which was tested by their values and aspirations. However, the patriots will like to see how the generations after them have ruled and whether Sri Lanka can be part of the global village that is setting a positive foreign policy,” he said.Fonseka urged teachers to help students become patriotic Sri Lankans.“Encourage your students to communicate in their mother tongue, which is one of the keys to achieving this greatness as Sri Lankans,” he told the teachers.Perera advised the students to conduct themselves in the most appropriate manner and asked them to respect Qatar, which has given them freedom to celebrate their country’s independence anniversary away from home.