SRI LANKA CELEBRATES 70TH INDEPENDENCE IN GRAND SCALE
Sri Lanka celebrated its 70th Independence Day at the Galle Face Green on Sunday, commemorating its independence from British rule on February 04, 1948. The event was held under the patronage of the H.E the President Maithripala Sirisena.
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and the Countess of Wessex participated as special invitees representing Queen Elizabeth II for the grand event.
Sri Lanka 's President Maithripala Sirisena reflecting on the challenges faced by the country during the 70 years since independence said what the nation has achieved despite the challenges is laudable.
As Sri Lanka celebrates seven decades of independence, it is appropriate to reflect on how far we have come as a nation. In terms of achieving human development, and various social, economic, and political challenges we were faced with, the progress we have achieved over this period is laudable, the President said in a message to mark the 70th anniversary of Independence.
The military parade comprised 3,620 Army personnel, 1,249 Navy personnel, 830 Air Force personnel, 800 police personnel, 505 Civil Security Force personnel and 100 National Cadet Corps members.
The cultural pageant included more than 500 dancers and musicians performing a mix of multi-cultural dances and music of Sri Lanka. The programme concluded with a 25-gun salute to the nation by the Sri Lanka Navy.
