Pomp and pageantry amidst call by President to overcome difficulties
No show by SJB, JVP and Catholic clergy at official celebration
Overcoming challenges with a positive mindset was the dominating theme as the country celebrated its 74th Independence Day on Friday.
The main celebration was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya R a j ap a k s a at the Independence Square in Colombo.
This year’s celebration was held with the participation of 6500 personnel belonging to the TriForces, Police, Civil Defence Force and National Cadet Corps. Personnel who took part in the celebrations were placed in a bio- bubble in the days leading up to the event, in accordance with COVID-19 protocol.
Government Ministers and MPs, foreign diplomats, senior Government and military officials and other distinguished guests were present at the event. However, Opposition political parties such as the Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramauna (JVP) boycotted this year’s celebrations. The Catholic Church also boycotted the official event.
Even though the event was supposed to be held under strict COVID- 19 guidelines, several guests were spotted without face masks.
The event began with the President hoisting the Sri Lankan flag and sinhging of the National anthem. This was followed by the Jayamangala Gatha sung by school students.
In his Independence Day message to the nation, the President paid tribute to all patriots who dedicated their lives to gain freedom for the country.
“When steering the country in the right direction, we know that the support of each and every person in the country cannot be expected. We are not ready to abandon our plans for the country’s future prosperity by looking upon those who will not change. Our objective is to do what is right by the country, and not to please e ve r yo n e, ” President Rajapaksa said.
“We can make our way forward, only with a positive attitude that looks optimistically towards the future. We can surmount the challenges we meet only if we dedicate ourselves to a victorious journey,” he said.
He also said the Government needed to improve all three sectors of agriculture, industry and services to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economy. Special attention must be paid to the ways and means of enhancing export revenue while encouraging local production, he added.
He said difficult times do not last forever and invited patriotic Sri Lankans to unite to build a proud nation that has achieved the true meaning of freedom.
A cultural dance segment, which included traditional upcountry and low country and Sabaragamu dance acts, brought the curtain down on this year’s celebrations.