As a sovereign nation, Sri Lanka today celebrated her 75th Independence Day ceremony in a dignified manner at the Galle Face Green, Colombo.
Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, arrived at the venue, accompanied by Military Police outriders and mounted Policemen in a colourful pageant that was heralded by the blowing of trumpets.
This pinnacle festivity was officially commenced with the gracious arrival of Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President where he was accorded a warm welcome by Honorable Prime Minister Dinesh Gunewardena, other officials, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil along with Tri-Service Commanders and IGP.
Honorable President was then invited by CDS to hoist the national flag and a bevy of school children sang the national anthem. Thereafter, the President was escorted to the special dais premises by the Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders and IGP where the recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha (Verses on the Blessings of Success) followed.
Day’s elegant spectacle celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the Independence that unfolded under the patronage of Honourable President Ranil Wickremesinghe was themed Namo Namo Matha; A Step towards a Century.
Afterward, a colourful Tri-Service Guard of Honour, was accorded to Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe the President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, followed by the customary 21-Gun Salute presented in his honour by the Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment.
The day’s independence parade included the foot and mechanized columns of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Coast Guard, Civil Defence Force and the National Cadet Corps. The Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force displayed their naval and airpower in parallel to the ground parade in the vicinity of Galle Face Green.
This spectacular event which had been arranged with grandeur colorfully ended with the display of show jumps performed by the brave para troopers of Tri-Services and Police.
Before the commencement of the ceremony proper, Professor Maithree Wickremesinghe the First Lady of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of the Parliament, Chief Justice, Governors, Chief Ministers, Honourable Ministers, Honourable Parliamentarians, Secretaries of Ministries, Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Service Commanders, IGP, Diplomats, foreign dignitaries and many distinguished local and foreign invitees had arrived at the main venue.
