Independence Day celebrations will commence from today (February 2) and religious observances will be held on Tuesday morning (February 4). The main Independence Day ceremony will be held at the Independence Square, Colombo on February 4. The Guard of Honour will begin on February 4 at 7.40 a.m. The arrival of the guests will begin with the arrival of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, followed by the arrival of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will then arrive and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will arrive at 8.00 a.m. The President will be escorted to the main flag pole by the Tri-Forces Commanders and the acting Inspector General of Police.
Two-minutes silence will be observed to commemorate all Sri Lankans who had sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland, followed by a Presidential Guard of Honour. The President will address the nation thereafter.
A parade and cultural performances by the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Defence Force and National Cadet Corps will also be held. The National Anthem will also be sung in Tamil, and a 25-gun salute by the Navy at the Galle Face Green at 12.00 noon. A floral tribute will be paid at the D.S. Senanayake statue at 6.00 am on the same day.
Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha said that the number of military personnel deployed for the Independence Day celebrations this year has been reduced by 40 percent compared to last year. This year’s military parade has been limited to 1,873 personnel, a decrease of 1,511 military personnel compared to last year. Although nearly Rs. 200 million was spent on the 76th Independence Day celebrations at the Galle Face Green last year, it has been limited to Rs. 87 million this year. There were 19 aircraft last year, and this has been reduced to three helicopters.
The Defence Secretary also said that armoured vehicles of the three Armed Forces will not be used for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
The Navy will also conduct 25 traditional firing squads.
