Music from the East and West come together in International Harmony Celebrating 75 years of Diplomacy

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an evening of orchestral music by the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL) on Friday, 2 June 2023 at the Lionel Wendt to mark  “75 years of Diplomacy”. 
The event - ‘International Harmony’ - showcased a mix of orchestral music from famous composers of the best Eastern and Western traditions, to epitomize Sri Lanka’s longstanding and friendly relations with countries near and far. The music was performed under the batons of SOSL conductor Dushyanthi Perera, and Associate Conductor Nishantha Warnakulasuriya.
The concert was also in aid of a worthy cause - a celebration with a mission -  to support donations for urgent equipment to the Neurosurgical Unit of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo. 
The concert performed by the SOSL  left the audience enthralled, with music  ranging from Leroy Anderson’s sparkling “Bugler’s Holiday” with the Trumpet Trio,  to Bao Yuankai’s evocative “Dialogue on Flowers” to the iconic “Danno Budhunge” and the grand “Pomp and Circumstance March” by Elgar, as well as other exceptional scores from East and West.  Soprano Dmitri Gunatilake held the audience spell-bound with Habanera from Bizet’s Carmen, and Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro. “
The enthusistic applause and praise that followed the Orchestra’s performance indicated an  appreciative and engaged audience.
The universal language of music demonstrates that we are capable of transcending barriers and achieving harmony. The  sound of the oriental flute melding with the western orchestra to create  a hauntingly beautiful melody was a poignant example of this ideal.
The SOSL is one of the oldest orchestras in South Asia, and in honour of the event and the humanitarian cause it seeks to promote, performed on an honorary basis with a view to channeling all contributions towards the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Neurosurgical project.  The Foreign Ministry appreciated the contributions by the Diplomatic Missions, and well-wishers to this project.
The event was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, Minister of Health Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella,  Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara, Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, Heads of Diplomatic Missions the United Nations and other International Organizations,  representatives of Diplomatic Missions, Honorary Consuls based in Colombo,  senior officials of the Foreign Ministry, the  Chairperson of the SOSL Mrs Sharmini Wettimuny and representatives of the SOSL board of Governors, and other distinguished guests and artistes.
Congratulations to the Foreign Ministry on 
a well-executed and high standard event bringing the diplomatic community together in International Harmony!