Special events to celebrate 71st Independence Day

Special arrangements are being made to celebrate this year's Independence Day, Minister Vajira Abeywardena said.

The Minister of Internal and Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Governments said that a special parade comprising 865 musicians and dancers, Police and tri-forces personnel along with civil security forces will take part in the celebrations.

Further, Buddhist religous rituals have been organised from February 02 at 9:30 am until  04:45 pm on February 03 at the Independence Square in Colombo 7.

Hindu religious rituals will also take place on February 04 from 06:30 am at the Manikka Pillayar Kovil while Islamic religious rituals will take place on the same date from 06 am onwards at the Jawatte Jumma mosque.

Roman Catholics will also be able to take part in religious rituals on February 04 from 06:15am at the St. Japamala Church in Slave Island while Christian religious rituals will be held on the same date and time at the Presbyterian Church in Colombo 06.

In addtion, Minister Abeywardena said that the garlanding of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake's statue will take place in the early hours of February 04.

He added that the people are requested to keep the national flag hoisted from February 01 - 07 to mark Independence Day.