The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa recently held a special New Year commemoration program at their Chancery premises to mark the beginning of 2025. The event brought together embassy staff and their families in a heartfelt celebration of the new year.
The ceremony began with the hoisting of the Sri Lankan national flag and the singing of the national anthem, serving as a reminder of the shared identity and values of their homeland. A two-minute silence was observed to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom and integrity of the country, followed by the lighting of an oil lamp.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa delivered an inspiring speech, outlining the vision for the year ahead and introducing the national initiative “Clean Sri Lanka” aimed at promoting stewardship and sustainability. He expressed gratitude to the staff and their families for their contributions in the past year and emphasized the importance of hard work and dedication in the coming year.
The Ambassador highlighted that 2025 is expected to be a year of transition both in Sri Lanka and in Ethiopia. He called on all staff members to work diligently towards achieving the goals set by the new government and implementing the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative to enhance efficiency and transparency in public service.
The Ambassador also stressed the need to strengthen relations with Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. He encouraged the mobilization of resources to boost key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and fisheries for economic development.
The program concluded with participants reciting the Clean Sri Lanka Oath, pledging to protect the environment. A tree-planting ceremony marked the launch of the Green Sri Lanka program at the Ambassador’s official residence.
The New Year commemoration in Ethiopia was a symbol of unity and cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to achieving common goals in line with the Embassy’s Action Plan for 2025.
This article was distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.
