It gives me great pleasure as the Honorary Consul to extend my greetings and best wishes to the Republic of Kazakhstan on this auspicious occasion as they celebrate the 31^st Anniversary of Independence on the 16^th of December.

Kazakhstan gained independence from the former USSR in 1991. Kazakhstan is home to the Baikonur Cosmodome, the world’s first and largest space launch facility.

It is remarkable to witness the great achievements made since gaining their independence. The vast developments made during the three decades of sovereignty, in advancing its economy with a firm commitment towards developing a prosperous nation to the betterment of all its people.

Kazakhstan is the biggest landlocked country with an area of 2.7 million square kilometers. It has a naval force, which is based on the similarly landlocked Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan is recognized as the world’s ninth largest country.

The people living in Kazakhstan represent more than 130 ethnicities, ensuring political stability as well as inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony. The nation has successfully avoided the divisions and conflicts by uniting entire population around a shared commitment to develop a successful country and share benefits in that process.

Kazakhstan is one of the world’s best-endowed states possessing world-class deposits of minerals and raw materials, rich in natural resources like oil and gas as well as Gold, Silver and various other precious metals, placing Kazakhstan among the global top five and providing around 3 percent of the world’s expected oil demand.

Kazakhstan’s foreign policy over the past three decades has focused on developing and strengthening relations with the key partners of the region, and establishing a safe and friendly environment around, using its geography to advantage; as a country at the heart of Eurasia, enabling to benefit from the trade flows between the European and Asian markets.

It will be my earnest endeavor to foster the economic, political, and cultural ties between the two nations as the Honorary Consul and continue to promote the friendly relations further. On this very important National Day, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to His Excellency the President, the government and the people of the Republic of Kazakhstan my sincere best wishes for peace and prosperity.

Eshana De Silva

Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Sri Lanka