By Anjalika Abeykoon
“Love Sri Lanka” initiative is one brought forward by the Mother Sri Lanka Foundation in 2018 for all the Sri Lankans to come together to proudly stand together as one nation and celebrate the Independence Day of our country. Simply put, the objective of the festival is to provide Sri Lankans an opportunity to put aside all differences and appreciate the positive values of Sri Lankan people.
This year the “Love Sri Lanka Street Festival 2019” will be held at the Vihara Maha Devi Park on 2 and 3 February 2019 from 10 am to 10 pm for two days. During the festival, everything Sri Lankan will be showcased for the enjoyment of all Sri Lankans as well as foreigners.
The festival will demonstrate and display the Sri Lankan culture, art, craft, street drama, local fashion and accessories, music and entertainment.
There will also be a “Sri Lanka Souvenir Competition”, which is open to the general public to display their creative talents and craftsman skills. “Love Sri Lanka Street Festival 2019” is a great opportunity for small and medium local street food manufacturers and small-time entertainers who will be given a chance to showcase their talents at the festival. All proceeds of this event will be a contribution to the charity work conducted by Mother Sri Lanka.
Mother Sri Lanka (MSL) is a non-profit, non-political 100% Sri Lankan movement which brings together the collaborative efforts of the public, private and non-profit sectors focusing on the educational, socio-economic, spiritual and cultural development of Sri Lankans.
The organisation also works to develop the concept of “Responsible Citizenship” among Sri Lankans and also conducts projects to help develop entrepreneurship, leadership, project management skills and positive personality traits of the youth to serve the motherland in the future. According to MSL, Independence Day is the most appropriate day to celebrate the “Pride of Being Sri Lankan.”
“Love Sri Lanka Festival 2018” held in lieu of the 70th Independence Day was a great success last year and was endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism. Hence, this year also to celebrate the 71st Independence Day of Sri Lanka on 4 February, the foundation invites all Sri Lankans to join the festival to celebrate being a Sri Lankan and to bring our “Sri Lankan-ness” out on our Independence Day.
