RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The 69th National Day of Malaysia and 63rd Malaysia Day was celebrated at the Shangri-La Colombo on Friday, September 4, under the patronage of High Commissioner of Malaysia Badli Hisham Adam and Madam Zalinah Mohd Yusof.
The Chief Guest, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilake, said Sri Lanka and Malaysia enjoy close bilateral relations and remain trusted partners. He recalled the contributions of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and praised the Malaysian Government for its assistance to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.
High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam said Malaysia and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations in 1957 and have maintained high-level exchanges between the two countries. He highlighted the growing cooperation between Malaysia and Sri Lanka in trade, investment, tourism and culture, and warmly invited Sri Lankan travellers to visit Malaysia.
High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam and Minister Anura Karunathilake jointly cut the anniversary cake during the ceremony.
Western Province Governor Hanif Yoosuf, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, diplomats, officials of the Sri Lanka-Malaysia Business Council, Colombo Times Chief Editor Mohammed Rasooldeen, media personnel, representatives of Muslim organisations and embassy officials were also present.
