At a magnificent event at the Hotel Taj Samudra last Wednesday, a large number of Sri Lankans gathered in a marquee pitched on the north lawn of the hotel to say ‘thank you’ to India for the massive support rendered to Sri Lanka in its present crisis.

A large number of people from various walks of life were present on this occasion to hear 11 well known personalities, including two erudite Buddhist monks express the heartfelt thanks of the Sri Lankan people to the government and people of India for their magnificent response in this country’s hour of need.

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and diplomatic other staff were among those present on this occasion at which Foreign Minister Ali Sabry was was also present and was a speaker. So were many business and other personalities as well as ordinary people. All speakers asked the high commissioner to convey the sentiments expressed to the government and people of India.Arun Bandaranayake who compered and hosted the event said that in addition to those physically present on the occasion, there were many thousands more present in spirit. High Commissioner Baglay, visibly moved by the sentiments expressed said that he was at a loss on how to say “thank you to thank you.”

Before the speeches began, the two Buddhist monks who spoke blessed Baglay and tied a pirith nool round his wrist. Many of the speakers referred to the warmth and hospitality they had personally experienced in India and India’s goodwill to its closest neighbour.

The speakers included Anunayake Dr. Kosgoda Sri Subhuthi, Dr. M. Wimalasari Thero, Prof. Jagath Ravindra, Mrs. Kimarli Fernando, former Tourist Board chairperson, Sarvodaya chief, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, Architect and Engineer Navin Gooneratne who produced the epic film Siddhartha Gauthama, Toastmasters Chief A. Balraj, Ms. Nayomini Weerasooriya, founder/editor Satyn Magazine, entrepreneur and women’s acivist, Mahendra Amarasuriya former President of Lion’s International and KR Ravindran, former global head of Rotary.Bandaranayake said that the event was not funded by any identifiable group or Individual and was a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude. Participants paid their own way.