Today - 04th February 2003 Sri Lanka celebrates her fifty-fifth (55th) anniversary of gaining Independence from colonial rulers

Today - 04th February 2003 Sri Lanka celebrates her fifty-fifth (55th) anniversary of gaining Independence from colonial rulers. It is my great pleasure on this very special day to address the Indonesian friends, the Sri Lankans and others who have had roots in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka and Indonesia have very close religious, political, cultural, economic and commercial relations over a period of a millennium. Both countries have many things in common, to name a few, flora and fauna, people of diverse ethnic origin who belong to the great religions of the world and political systems. Both Indonesia and Sri Lanka have been very closely associated with the political philosophy which founded the Non-Aligned Movement together with great statesmen of different nations at that time.

Sri Lankans and Indonesians have been visiting each other even before the modern conveyance systems evolved and enriched the cultures of each other. Evidence could be found in all aspects of life of the people, such as cuisine, clothing and furniture in use in both countries.

The problems facing the two countries are also similar. As Indonesia faced political uprising in areas such Aceh, during the last two decades, we in Sri Lanka faced the threat of a revolt which aimed to form a separate state in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Both Sri Lanka and Indonesia are now on the path towards normalcy and finding a solution to those problems and ushering in peace in the near future. In fact, for more than a year Sri Lankans have enjoyed peace in the country.

I am happy to state that the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is flourishing with the peace talks in progress. There was no single bomb exploded in the Island during the last year. Therefore, I would like to recommend the Indonesian friends that this is the time to visit Sri Lanka which is a very safe place for any tourist of any nationality. For the Indonesian friends in particular, Srilankan Airlines is providing a very comfortable direct flight to Colombo and back.

I wish you-all well.

H.K.J.R. Bandara Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Indonesia.