Sri Lanka celebrates 64th National Independence Day

Sri Lanka today celebrates the 64th anniversary of gaining independence from the British colonial rule in 1948 with pomp and pageantry in the sacred city of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the Independence Day celebrations with hoisting the National Flag this morning at 8:30 a.m. and addressing the nation.



A grand march-past with the participation of 1,400 army personnel, 750 Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel and 450 personnel of the Civil Defence Task Force and the youth brigade was followed by a cultural parade of traditional dances from all provinces.
A special feature of the parade was the performance by 45 cultural troupes representing all ethnic groups in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya and Mannar districts.
The President issuing a message to mark the Independence Day said Sri Lanka is fortunate to celebrate the 64th Independence Day with a genuine sense of dignity about freedom.
He said the country's achievements would be secured when opportunities for peace, co-existence as well as harmonious living are widened and pointed to the need to secure the sacrifices made so far towards the objective.
The commanders of the three armed forces, the IGP and the Director General of the Civil Defence Task Force also participated in the ceremonies.
Meanwhile, the Deyata Kirula industrial exhibition that coincides with the Independence Day activities will be opened this afternoon at Oya Maduwa in Anuradhapura.