News
Parading in force
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- Colourful dancers
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- Military might
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- Flying the flag
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- The masked clergy
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- Military wives
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- Military facet
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- Weapons display
A toned-down, yet glorified independence celebration was held at Independence Square amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, with safety precautions in place.
The event started off with the arrival of the dignitaries, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The opposition leader, former president, state officials and military personnel were present.
The event commenced as the president hoisted the national flag and a group of students sang the national anthem.
A two-minute silence was observed to honour patriots who secured the independence of the country. A 21-gun salute was performed to honour the president.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressed the nation at the event and expressed his views on gaining independence, and the need for maintaining territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Following the president’s address, the military parade took place comprising of 3,153 Army personnel, 821 Navy personnel, and 740 Air Force personnel. Another 510 Police personnel and 447 Civil Defence Force personnel participated in the parade. The Air Force displayed their helicopters and planes in a fly by. Both military and Police horses were ridden in the parade. The military elephant Kandula and the Police mascot elephant were also paraded. The event ended with a brief cultural pageant which displayed different types of dances and traditional activities.