The government plans to commemorate Sri Lanka’s 64th National Independence Day, which falls on the 4th of next month, in grand manner. 

The theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Building a wondrous state’. President Rajapakse will be the chief guest at this occasion. MPs, Minster and Foreign dignitaries will also participate.

This year’s National Independence Day ceremony will be conducted at Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mawatha in Anuradhapura at 8 am on the 4th of February.

Minister W.D.J.Seneviratne at a media briefing yesterday said that a special feature of the ceremony is the guard of honour conducted by the three armed forces. 1,400 army personnel, 750 personnel representing the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air force and 450 personnel of the civil defence task force and the youth brigade will also take part in the two hour long march-past. The commanders of the three armed forces, the IGP and the Director General of the Civil Defence task force will also attend the ceremony. The cultural component of the display will be enriched by a cultural pageant to be performed by 45 cultural groups representing all ethnic groups in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

In addition an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony will commence at the independence square Colombo at 10 pm on the 2nd of next month.