The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States, in collaboration with the International Club of DC, hosted a vibrant evening reception on 13th June 2025 at the Embassy premises in Washington D.C., promoting Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination among US nationals during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. A large number of members of the Club attended the event.
Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, in his address, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and invited them to explore the myriad of attractions Sri Lanka offers. He emphasized that the evening's culinary delights, music, and dance performances exemplify the island's rich and diverse cultural tapestry. Highlighting Sri Lanka's multicultural, multilingual, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic society, the Ambassador pointed out that Sri Lanka's pristine coast line, abundant flora/fauna and wildlife, provide visitors with an enriching and unforgettable experience.
The Embassy also showcased tourist attractions of the country with a photographic exhibition and tourist-oriented videos as well as the presence of the 8 UNESCO world heritage sites.
A captivating cultural recital held at the event featured performances by several distinguished Sri Lankan local dance troupes, showcasing the island's rich and diverse dance heritage. The "Natamu School of Sri Lankan Traditional Dance," led by Chathuri Wickramarachchi, and the "Lanka Dance Academy," led by Lanka Mudannayake, presented both up-country and low-country dance styles. These performances highlighted the island's diverse traditional dance forms, each with its unique rhythms and movements. The "Ceylon Bera" troupe under the direction of Indika Attanayake enthralled the audience with the rhythmic beats of Sri Lanka's traditional drums, accompanied by instrumental music. Further, Achila Perera's Bharatanatyam-style dance performance, representing the Tamil community's culture, emphasized the vibrant diversity of Sri Lankan traditions.
Attendees were treated to a sumptuous buffet featuring authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, enriched with the distinctive flavors of Ceylon spices. A highlight of the evening was the live hopper station, where a skilled Sri Lankan chef prepared various types of fresh hoppers on-site. The interactive cooking experience added an authentic touch, immersing attendees in the rich culinary traditions of Sri Lanka.
The Embassy made arrangements to offer all the visitors a sampling of freshly brewed hot and iced Ceylon tea sponsored by Basilur (Sri Lanka) and QTrade Teas & Herbs (California, USA).
In his vote of thanks, the President of the International Club of DC Sanjaya Hettihewa thanked the Ambassador and staff for joining hands with his organization to host this unique event. The International Club of DC offers international cultural experiences including art, music, dance, and theatre as well as the opportunity to sample culinary delicacies from around the world with their diverse membership of over 47,000 professionals representing over 90 countries and partner with over 80 embassies in Washington DC to present concerts, festivals, galas, and receptions.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C.
17th June 2025
