On Saturday, May 3, 2025, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. opened its doors to American visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of the “Around the World Embassy Tour” under the Passport DC program. Guided by the direction of Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, the embassy organized an extensive program to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive tourist destination. According to official figures from the Passport DC organizers, over 4,200 U.S. nationals visited the embassy during this event.
A key highlight of the celebration was a vibrant photo exhibition titled “Beauty of Sri Lanka”, featuring over 80 photographs focused on the country’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, wildlife, and people. This exhibition, curated by Surya Perera, Andy Samarasekera, Lakshitha Karunaratne, Sameera Kothalawala, and Risnad Hussein of the American-Sri Lankan Photographic Art Association in Los Angeles, drew much attention from attendees.
Visitors were treated to traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, including a tasting of Sri Lankan cuisine. They also had the opportunity to observe live demonstrations of how Kottu Roti and Appa (Hoppers) are made, and to sample rice and curry meals. Additionally, freshly brewed hot and iced Ceylon tea, sponsored by Basilur (Sri Lanka) and QTrade Teas & Herbs (California, USA), was served to guests. The event received financial support from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The cultural richness of Sri Lanka was further showcased through traditional dance and drumming performances representing styles from the Kandyan, Low Country, and Northern regions. These performances were conducted by Chathuri Wickramarachchi, Lanka Mudannayake, Achila Perera, and Indika Attanayake along with students from their respective cultural academies, becoming a highlight that captivated audiences throughout the day.
In alignment with Passport DC 2024, the embassy also arranged for live musical performances featuring Kutila Dias and the Serendib musical group, entertaining guests with a taste of Sri Lankan music and song. This culturally immersive experience proved engaging for the diverse crowd.
Another unique attraction organized by the embassy was a traditional dress-up photo booth, where visitors could dress in Sri Lankan attire and take photos. Many American women lined up to wear the Kandyan sari, while men donned batik sarongs and shirts. In the embassy’s garden, with the support of Sri Lankan-American vendors, three booths showcased Sri Lankan handicrafts including wooden masks, drums, bags, batik clothes, brass items, paintings, spices, and tea, creating yet another highlight for guests. A Sri Lankan-American company also promoted tour packages to Sri Lanka, increasing interest among visitors to travel to the island.
To the delight of attendees, every guest received a gift pack of Ceylon tea, sponsored by Basilur (Sri Lanka), as a token of appreciation and to further promote Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
In response to a request by the embassy, volunteers from six Sri Lankan community organizations based in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia contributed their services to support the event. These included the Sri Lanka Association of Washington D.C., Sri Lanka Performing Arts Circle, Kala Lanka Foundation, Ape Kattiya / America Sri Lanka Friendship Foundation, Bethesda Api, and the Hospital Services Council of the Greater Washington Area – all of whom played a vital role in attracting a large audience throughout the event.
The Passport DC festival, organized by Events DC, saw participation from over 60 embassies and diplomatic missions, including the Sri Lankan Embassy. Held annually throughout the month of May, this festival is a tribute to the international diplomatic and multicultural communities in Washington D.C. The first Saturday of May is dedicated to embassy open houses, marking International Cultural Awareness Month.
This event, part of the broader Passport DC celebration, presents a rare opportunity to experience a wide range of foreign cultures and traditions in a single day. As such, it has become extremely popular among Americans in the Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, and surrounding urban areas).
Sri Lanka Embassy
Washington D.C.
May 6, 2025
