The 4th of February is the Independence Day of Sri Lanka. Every year they celebrate it with joy and honor. This year Sri Lanka is celebrating its 76th Independence Day. Sri Lanka gained independence on 4th February of 1948 from British rule.
Sri Lanka celebrates its freedom from British rule and gaining self-rule. It is an annual holiday. People all over Sri Lanka celebrate this day with festivity and honoring the leaders behind the country’s independence. They remember all the national struggles behind independence and celebrate this day.
How Do Both Sri Lanka’s Independence Day and Nazrul Jayanti Celebrations Impact the Country’s Cultural Identity?
Sri Lanka’s Independence Day and the birth anniversary of poet Nazrul Jayanti both play a significant role in shaping the country’s cultural identity. These celebrations uphold and honor the rich history, traditions, and values that have been passed down through generations, promoting a sense of unity and national pride.
How Does Sri Lanka’s Independence Day Celebration Differ from Maldives’?
Sri Lanka’s Independence Day celebration typically includes flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural performances, and patriotic speeches. In contrast, Maldives’ Independence Day is celebrated with processions, traditional music and dance, and fireworks. The festive atmosphere is palpable, especially as Maldives prepares for its independence day celebration in 2024.
History Behind The Independence Day of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has quite a peaceful independence movement. It gained independence in 1948 but was under British Dominion. In 1972 this country turned into a republic and was named the Republic of Sri Lanka.
The transformation of British rule to self-rule is known as a ‘peaceful transfer of power’. At that time Sri Lanka was known as British Ceylon. After the transformation, it was named ‘Dominion of Ceylon’.
D.S. Senanayake was the main leader in gaining independence from British Rule in 1948. His leadership had led Sri Lanka from British Rule to the establishment of self-rule. He was the earliest prime minister of Sri Lanka after gaining independence.
He was the legal head of state as Queen Elizabeth’s governor. In 1972 Dominion of Ceylon turned into the Republic of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s earliest president was William Gopallawa. He replaced the governor’s rule by dismissing dominion ruling.
Celebration Of Independence Day
From the British Empire to the Republic of Sri Lanka it is a big journey of Independence. But the movement for independence against the British is recalled particularly on Independence day. The main celebration of Independence day is the parade, dance ceremonies, and performance.
There also held a flag hoisting ceremony. The President of Sri Lanka hoisted the flag in the capital city Colombo and gave a speech on television for all people of the nation. Before any official ceremony there held a religious prayer in every religious community.
In the presidential speech, the president acknowledges the achievement of government throughout the year, talks about important issues, and briefs the people about further development. He recalls all the leaders behind the independence of Sri Lanka and observes two-minute silence in memory of them.
Followed by the speech of the president, there take place military parades and a showcase of the power of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and Civil Defense. There also occurs singing and dancing performances to showcase cultural unity.
At the Colombo Lighthouse, the Sri Lankan Navy performs 21 gun salutes in honor of Independence Day. Gener people celebrate this day festively as it is a federal holiday. Banks, post offices, and public institutions remain closed on this day. The print media publishes news covering independence day, broadcasting media broadcast shows regarding this day.
Messages From Country Chiefs on Independence Day
The president of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a message on the occasion of Independence Day. He said “I have the vision that I must serve as the leader of the country looking after all citizens rather than serve as a political leader concerned only about a particular community. As the President today, I represent the entire Sri Lankan nation irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party affiliation, or other differences”
Later he shared his planning for the future of the country by saying “I am committed to working towards fulfilling the needs of the people of this country. That is my responsibility and my duty. I do not envisage public officials, lawmakers, or the judiciary to impede my implementing this commitment.”
In the end, he mentioned our responsibility towards our country and added “We must always respect the rule of law. The public will get real freedom only when the law is fairly and equally applied. We have many challenges ahead of us. We need everyone’s support for the efforts taken by the government to overcome them.”
Independence Day Facebook Status/SMS and Wishes
Below are some Facebook statuses, SMS, and wishes for you and your friends and family to celebrate this joyous moment of Independence Day by wishing each other.
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“On this Sri Lankan Independence Day, we vouch for the bravery, patriotism, and all those who have loved the country with all their heart and earned this freedom.”
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‘Sri Lanka is a proud country because our independence isn’t a result of long battles and war, rather we are one of those countries that got it with peace.”
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“With compassion and friendship, there is greater unity in the country and the walk towards successful independence is hence easier. Happy Sri Lankan Independence Day.”
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“Sri Lanka has been a model developing nation for years now and with the Independence on the 4th of February, the country has never looked back ever since 1948!”
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‘Sri Lanka is a power in the making and the youth of the country will enable it to reach out to the place it always deserves to be in. Happy Sri Lankan Independence Day.”
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“The country shall only change for the greater good when the people living in it are changing towards a positive life. Happy Independence Day Sri Lanka.”
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“The day a country like Sri Lanka got freedom, it was a chance for them to be better at everything they do! Happy Sri Lankan Independence Day.”
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“Sri Lanka is a small land and hence the bond between each person in the country is very eminent. Together we bloom for a better tomorrow. Happy Independence Day.”
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“With freedom comes the responsibility to grow and be a shining star in the constellation. We, Sri Lankans, make sure that we shine throughout the world on each and every. Happy Sri Lankan Independence Day.”
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“Out from the bounds of those who showed their power. Sri Lanka is a land of free thought and will. Have a great Independence Day, to all the Sri Lankans.”
Conclusion
Sri Lanka had to go through a long history to be a republic country. The power transfer may be peaceful but independence was not gained in one day. Our leaders behind independence deserve acknowledgment and respect. We the people of Sri Lanka honor them on our Independence day.
We have to make sure of the peaceful country Sri Lanka dreamt of. No extremism or terrorism should be tolerated here. Sri Lanka is the homeland of every religion. Where everyone can think freely and live with freedom.
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