Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – January 2023
New Year Message Sri Lankan Consulate
The Year appears to have passed so quickly after two years of the COVID pandemic which we in our Lifetime have not faced, with isolation of family members and friends. It has been a very difficult time for all of us with the restrictions that we encountered. We hope and pray that the New Year will bring us Peace, Harmony and Good Will to all of us. The Festive Season is a time that family and friends get together to celebrate this time of the year and to share gifts among themselves. I also take this opportunity to share our thoughts and prayers for our Brothers and Sisters back home who are going through a very difficult time. We hope and pray that the Year 2023 will overcome the hardships that they have faced in the last year.
Unfortunately, the Sri Lanka Consulate General’s Office in Sydney, was closed in April 2022 due to the financial crisis back home and inquiries have now been directed to the Sri Lanka High Commissioner’s office in Canberra. My duties as the Hon. Consul has intensified due to closure of the Sydney Office and my duties have been very demanding. Unfortunately, my tenure as the Hon. Consul will come to end soon due to age restrictions which has been a policy of the Dept. Foreign Affairs in Colombo. I have been very fortunate and privileged to serve the community and Country of my Birth for almost 30 years. Unfortunately, at some stage of our lives, there is a time that we must move on and spend time with our families. I feel this is the time because we don’t know what
tomorrow will bring us. The Hon. Consul duties are very demanding now that the community has grown over the years and a person who has a normal 9 to 5 job will find it very difficult to carry out his/her duties because this is a non-paying job but the satisfaction of serving the community.
I like to take this opportunity in showing my appreciation to the Dæhæna Newsletter and the Committee members for giving us the updates on events back home and locally over the years. Also, to all the contributors who have given us the pleasure of reading all those interesting articles over a period.
My family and I wish all you readers the very best for the New Year and may it bring Prosperity and Peace to the World.
Anton Swan. OAM
J.P. Qualified
Hon. Consul for Sri Lanka in Queensland
