Independence Day (Sri Lanka)
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2019) |
| National Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name | National Day of Sri Lanka ශ්රී ලංකා ජාතික දිනය இலங்கையின் தேசிய தினம் |
| Observed by | Sri Lanka |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Commemorates Sri Lanka's independence from Britain in 1948 |
| Celebrations | National Day Parade and an address by the President of Sri Lanka |
| Date | 4 February |
| Next time | 4 February 2026 |
| Frequency | Annually |
National Day, also known as 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 delivers a nationally televised speech.
Traditionally the Sri Lanka Navy accords a 21 gun salute to the nation from the ceremonial naval gun battery at the Colombo Lighthouse. A Google Doodle reaching only Sri Lanka celebrated the occasion in 2013 and from 2017 continuously onwards.[2]
Locations of main celebrations
[edit]- 1991 - Independence Square
- 1992- Independence Square
- 1993 - Independence Square
- 1994 - Independence Square
- 1995 - Independence Square
- 1996 - Independence Square
- 1997 - Independence Square
- 1998 - Parliament Complex - Sri Jayawardana Pura Kotte
- 2008 - Galle Face Green
- 2009 - Galle Face Green
- 2010 - Dalada Maligawa - Kandy[3]
- 2011 - Katharagama
- 2012 - Anuradhapura - Jayanthi St
- 2013 - Trincomalee [4]
- 2014 - Kegalle[3]
- 2015 - Galle Face Green
- 2016 - Galle Face Green
- 2017 - Galle Face Green [5]
- 2018 - Galle Face Green [6]
- 2019 - Galle Face Green [7]
- 2020 - Independence Square
- 2021 - Independence Square [8]
- 2022 - Independence Square[9]
- 2023 - Galle Face Green[9]
- 2024 - Galle Face Green[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Independence Day celebration to be named as National Day Celebration, ColomboPage.com, 23 January 2019
- ^ "Sri Lanka Independence Day 2021". google.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Independence day ceremonies in Kandy".
- ^ "Sri Lanka Celebrates 65th Independence Day".
- ^ "Independence Day Speech by President Maithripala Sirisena on February 4, 2017".
- ^ "Sri Lanka celebrates 70th anniversary of Independence Day, vowing to achieve economic freedom - Xinhua | English.news.cn".
- ^ "Sri Lanka Celebrates 71 Years of Independence".
- ^ "Sri Lanka celebrates 73rd Independence Day - Xinhua | English.news.cn".
- ^ a b "The country celebrates its 75th National Independence Celebration with pride with the new reformist program for the next 25 years". presidentsoffice.gov.lk. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's 76th National Independence Day celebrations". Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
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