Two contrasting events took place in Sri Lanka this week, reflecting the deep historical divide over the creation of the State of Israel 77 years ago.
On April 30, the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel—celebrated globally as Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day)—was commemorated in Colombo. The Sri Lanka–Israel Friendship Association organized a special event to mark the occasion, attended by diplomats, community leaders, and supporters of Israel. While traditional celebrations such as the torch-lighting ceremony were absent this year’s celebratin in Israel due to devastating forest fires in Israel, and air shows were canceled amid ongoing conflict, the spirit of solidarity remained strong among attendees.
In stark contrast, today, May 15, marks Nakba Day, observed annually to remember the displacement of more than 750,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that followed the declaration of Israeli independence. The Sri Lanka–Palestine Friendship Association organized a remembrance event at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute in Colombo.
The commemoration features Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Chief Guest and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as Guest of Honor. Speakers emphasized the need for international solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated calls for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict.
The back-to-back events underline the enduring global resonance of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the diverse perspectives represented even in distant nations like Sri Lanka.
