A special commemorative postage stamp was issued on Wednesday (Dec. 08), on the occasion of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye.

Addressing the event, Demet Şekercioğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Sri Lanka and Maldives, stated that “it is worth mentioning that Türkiye was among the first countries to recognize Sri Lanka’s independence 75 years ago. Our relation gained a new dimension with the establishment of our Embassy here in Colombo 10 years ago, indeed serving as a true testament to our growing and flourishing partnership”.

Further, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Sri Lanka said that as much as the deep-rooted connections between the two nations, the design and decorations on the sides of the commemorative postage stamp features the iconic regions of Cappadocia in Türkiye and Sigiriya in Sri Lanka symbolizing the intertwined histories.

“I must say that both are renowned for their unique geographical structures and rich heritage, making them prominent tourist destinations. I would like to shortly highlight the history behind the scenic beauty of Cappadocia, which might not be known to everyone in Sri Lanka”, she added.

The stamps were designed by Sri Lankan artist Vasantha Perera, well known for having designed 39 unique stamps for the Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau, according to Şekercioğlu.

“The stamps showcase the cultural parallels between our nations, with traditional elements like tulip and the carnation as side decorations. The tulip and the carnation are also common elements in both of Turkish and Sri Lankan traditional designs. Last but not least, the stamps envelop reflects a drawing of the historic building ‘Villa Stamboul’, linking us to a shared past”, the Turkish Ambassador said.