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The Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia organised a spectacular event 'Evening with Sri Lanka' on October 7 to promote tourism, trade and investment.

This was the first in a series of activities envisaged for Australia in the spirit of the 'Regaining Sri Lanka' concept of the government. The High Commissioner stressed that 'Regaining Sri Lanka' is a major challenge that the people and the government of Sri Lanka have taken upon themselves, and although a primarily Sri Lankan effort at rebuilding the country, it was a monumental task which calls for the active support of the international community".

He acknowledged that Australia was in the forefront of the global initiative to help Sri Lanka in this transitional phase.

The event was unique in that it combined three activities - a reception, an exhibition and a traditional dance recital into a single programme, one that has never before been launched in Canberra.

Gary Hardgrave, Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship in conversation with Major General Perera, while Senator Nick Minchin, Minister of Finance and Administration jots down a few observations of the Dawn of Hope Photographic Series. This part of the exhibition, again entirely sponsored by Associated Newspapers Limited is the journey from war to peace in Sri Lanka through a photographer’s eye. There was immense interest in this section of the exhibition in the larger context of world politics, and in the spirit of multiculturalism, unity and togetherness.

The High Commissioner in his welcome address, stated that the "event accords with the national policy of Australia, multiculturalism, which is a constant source of inspiration to the world." In this same spirit he dedicated the event to the people of Australia, "who have been supportive of Sri Lanka in so many different ways."

The evening was held at the prestigious Gallery and Federation Ballroom of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra and distinguished invitees included Philip Ruddock, Attorney General and former Minister of Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Indigenous Affairs, The Senator Nick Minchin, Minister of Finance and Administration, and Gary Hardgrave, Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.

The event was a resounding success, received considerable publicity in Australia and was attended by a large number of parliamentarians, diplomats, Australian businessmen, tour operators and the media.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in order to better showcase Sri Lanka gave attention to every detail. The Australian service staff (both male and female) of the Hyatt wore Sri Lankan sarong and shirt in vibrant handlooms donated by Salu Sala Ltd.

Shahiliya Jayasundera, Nari Senanayake and Charmaine Lim, three young students of dance from Canberra perform the Kafrinya, a joyful dance combining African music and dance with Sri Lankan rhythms. Pictures by RAVINDRA SENEVIRATNE

Many of the crafts, masks and silverware on display were loaned to the High Commission by the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board. Both the Sri Lanka Tea Board and Stassens Limited were generous in their donation of gift packs of tea, specialty teas, and samples of different grades of teas.

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon entirely sponsored the Dawn of Hope series, an excellent look at Sri Lanka's ongoing journey from war to peace through a photographer's lens. As did they sponsor the spectacular black and white collection of prints depicting a bygone era in the Island drawn from the Newspaper's archives.

The Heritage Foundation for the Environment and the Arts together with Sri Lankan airlines sponsored the arrival of traditional authentic artistes from Sri Lanka, and Melbourne, while Sri Lankan expatriates and well-wishers together with the high commission staff funded the entire evening.

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