Queen congratulates Sri Lanka on 69th Independence Day

Queen Elizabeth II of England has sent a congratulatory message to President Maithripala Sirisena on the occasion of the country’s 69th National Independence Day:

“It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency Maithripala Sirisena my congratulations on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the good fortune and happiness of the people of Sri Lanka in the coming year – Elizabeth R,” the Queen said in her message.

Ending 133 years of colonial rule, Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, gained independence from the Great Britain on 4 February 1948.