A view from the 2018 Independence Day parade. At 70, Sri Lanka has accomplished a lot in its seven decades as an independent nation. Credit: World Bank Like many Sri Lankans across the country, I joined Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Day festivities earlier this month. This was undoubtedly a joyful The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand hosted a reception to mark the 77 th Independence Day of Sri Lanka and the 70 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand on 10 February 2025. Held at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, the event was attended by around 400 distinguished guests, including ministers, permanent secretaries, members of the diplomatic corps, senior government இலங்கையின் 77வது சுதந்திர தின கொண்டாட்டம் - சிறப்பு நேரலை Independence Day Sri Lanka 2 months ago Sri Lanka’s 70th Independence Day was celebrated with pomp and pageantry under the theme, “One Nation and Enduring Force” at Galle Face Green in Colombo under the patronage of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 50th independence day ceremony of Sri Lanka Bandaranaike Archives Center 3.06K subscribers Subscribed Independence Day, [1] is a Sri Lankan national holiday celebrated annually on 4 February to commemorate the country’s political independence from British rule in 1948. It is celebrated all over the country through a flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades, and performances. Usually, the main celebration takes place in Colombo, where the President of Sri Lanka raises the national flag and 4 February – The 77th National Independence Day is celebrated at the Independence Memorial Hall in Colombo with the theme "Let's Join the National Renaissance". [18] 6 February – Sri Lankan scientist Prof. Neelika Malavige is appointed as the president-elect of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), where she will assume the presidency in 2027 and serve until 2029. [19 It marks the country’s independence from British rule in 1948. The Sri Lankan Constitution officially recognizes this day as the “ National Day of the Republic of Sri Lanka,” making it a national holiday. Independence Day commemorates the freedom gained from British colonial rule after many years of struggle. Every year on February 4, Sri Lanka celebrates Independence Day, a special day for our beautiful island. It’s a day to remember how our country gained freedom from British rule in 1948 and became an independent nation. Sri Lanka Independence Day History Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, was a key commercial centre and harbor for the British, who gave it semi-independent “dominion” title in 1948 when it gained independence from the United Kingdom. Sri Lanka gained its independence as a complete republic on May 22, 1972, and is currently known officially as the Socialist Democrat Realm of Sri Lanka. Don Sri Lanka achieved ‘independence’ seventy years ago. What does this mean? What we achieved was self-government – the ability to elect our own rulers; but as a society did we become freer? We are no longer administered by rulers appointed from afar but is the citizenry free? Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. For more than a century Sri Lanka was a British crown colony but on 4 February, 1948 the country achieved its independence to officially become the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka FlagDon Stephen Senanayake became Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister. Sri Lanka acquired its dominion status exactly 77 years ago from the British. Today, Sri Lanka is commemorating this occasion as its Independence Day. During the administration of Ms. Sirima President Sirisena opened the Independence Day celebrations with hoisting the National Flag this morning and a two-minute silence was observed before the ceremony commenced to commemorate the patriots who had sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The Independence Parade following the President’s address was adorned with parades by the tri forces and cultural shows by students and civil organizations. The tri-forces parade consisted of 3,620 Sri Lanka Army, 1,249 Navy, 830 Air Force troops, 800 police, 505 Civil Defense Force and 100 National Cadet Corp troops. Under a theme of One Nation, the 70 th Independence Day celebrations that are held today, reflect our legacy as a free nation. My hope is to see all Sri Lanka unite as one to sustain freedom for all. As the country celebrates 70 years of Independence, Sri Lanka stands at the crossroads. We have a choice of two trajectories: that of furthering our Independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and self-determination, or retreating from it. Where one road is taking us was clear as Feb 4th dawned. What does it mean to be Sri Lankan? 70 years after independence, our identity is defined mostly along majoritarian lines, which can be traced back to the divisions created under British rule. These divisions have contributed to violence and war, in the years since 1948. To this day, there are communities who feel that what Under a theme of One Nation, the 70 th Independence Day celebrations that are held today, reflect our legacy as a free nation. My hope is to see all Sri Lanka unite as one to sustain freedom for all. 11.5K Likes, 70 Comments. TikTok video from Black devil’s Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🖤 (@blackdevilssl): “Watch the black devils of Sri Lanka Army commando soldiers as they prepare for the 76th National Independence Day celebration. Experience intense military training and dedication to the National Armed Forces. Videography by Black Devils Sri
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |