SRI LANKAN ARTISTES HONOURED AT GALA CONCERT
HOSTED BY THE SRI LANKA MISSION in NY TO MARK NATIONAL DAY

The Permanent Representative Dr Palitha Kohona and the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York hosted a gala concert for 350 guests at the prestigious Asia Society on Park Avenue to mark the National Day featuring some of Sri Lanka's best talent in America. The concert featured Rohan De Silva, Pianist and Maestro of Chamber Music who has played at the White House and at Carnegie Hall, young Soprano Ms Tharanga Goonetillake who is a gem in the New York’s Opera Circuit, Veteran Jazz Vocalist Yolande Bawan dubbed as the new Ella Fitzgerald, Pradeep Ratnayake, Sri Lanka’s outstanding Sitarist, Jazz Pianist Prodigy Dinuk Wijeratne. The Channa Upuli Dance Troupe added luster to the event with its splendid dance display. "Dr Kohona, in his welcoming address said "It is doubly a joy to host this event as we as a nation emerge from our long nightmare of internal conflict and as we congratulate President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his emphatic victory at last week's Presidential elections. Against the backdrop of a long awaited peace, the nation's pent up dreams and aspirations of a better future for all its citizens are reflected in the music of the artistes performing today."

Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona who hosted this first time event for New York’s Diplomatic Corps, the United Nations Community and New York’s leading lights in business and travel hosted a well attended reception with a fine array of Sri Lankan cuisine in the Asia Society’s Banquet Hall following the Concert. The diplomatic community and the UN were well represented.

This is the first time that the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the UN in New York has hosted a reception for the international community in addition to the customary event hosted for the Sri Lankan community.  The cost of the event was bourne entirely by the following sponsors; the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Air Sea Land Ltd., Mt Lavinia Hotel, Brandix, Bay Leaf and the Galle Face Hotel.

5th February 2010