Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be the Chief Guest at the 71st Independence Day Celebrations at Galle Face Green on February 04.
the country’s 71st National Day will be celebrated on a grand scale under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and with the participation of Prime Minister Ranil wickramasinghe on February 4.
Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils & Local Government Minister Wajira Abeywardana addressing a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday said the celebrations of the 71st National Day dawns in a challenging year in which the government is committed to lay a firm foundation for the reconciliation among the communities, development and democracy in this island nation.
The Minister further said that a cultural pageant comprising 865 musicians and dancers, and the special parade by Police, tri-forces personnel along with civil security forces and the National Cadet Corps will take part in the celebrations.
Further, Buddhist religious rituals have been organised from February 02 at 9:30 am until 04:45 pm on February 03 at the Independence Square in Colombo 7. An All night pirith ceremony will be held at the the Independence Square in Colombo 7. The pirith ceremony will be followed by an alms-giving to the monks at the Sri Sambodhi temple in Colombo.
Hindu religious rituals will also take place on February 04 from 06:30 am at the Manikka Pillayar Kovil while Islamic religious rituals will take place on the same date from 06 am onwards at the Jawatte Jumma mosque.
Roman Catholics will also be able to take part in religious rituals on February 04 from 06:15am at the St. Japamala Church in Slave Island while Christian religious rituals will be held on the same date and time at the Presbyterian Church in Colombo 06.
In addition, Minister Abeywardena said that the garlanding of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake's statue will take place at 7.30am on February 04.
The military parade consisted of the 3620 personnel from Sri Lanka Army, 1249 personal from Sri Lanka Navy, 830 personal from Sri Lanka Airforec, 800 personal from Sri Lanka Police, 505 personal from the Civil Defence Force and the 100 personal from the National Cadet Corps.
The National Day celebrations will be concluded with a 25-gun salute to the nation auspiciously on twelve noon by the Sri Lanka Navy.
He added that the people are requested to keep the national flag hoisted in all government offices, every household and all business premises from February 01 - 07 to mark National Day.
The Minister also requested all participants including media personal to dress with decent clothing on that day.
The Minister further said this year that Independence Day will be known as National Day as the Constitution of Sri Lanka has expressly described the day as a National Day.
Minister further said that instructions have already been given to district Secretariats to make necessary arraignments to organize National Day celebrations in district level except the districts in the Western Province.
Add new comment