Celebrations around the country
The 75th anniversary of independence was celebrated across the country with a range of events, including events organised by regional District Secretariats. School children also took part in these events.
Colombo District Secretary, K D Wijesiri said that as the main independence event was held at Colombo, the District Secretariat did not engage in separate celebrations. However, flower tributes were placed at national heroes' statutes by officials, yesterday.
Mr Wijesiri added that religious observances were held on Friday at Divisional Secretariats in Colombo.
District Secretariats and other local government authorities in the Central Province too had regional events to mark independence.
Independence Day celebrations in the Matale District were held at the Bernard Aluvihare playground under the patronage of the Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee, Nalaka Bandara and District Secretary, Thejani Thilakaratne. The event consisted of a march-past by Police, Civil Defense Force and tri-forces personnel. Schools within the district participated with dances and school band performances. A prize giving was conducted at the event to hand over awards to the best gardeners in the district. Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat embarked on four tree planting campaigns to mark Independence Day. District Secretary, Nanda Galaboda said that the main tree planting ceremony was held at Senananda Vidyalaya at Nuwara Eliya. They also carried out fruit tree planting ceremonies at Bolandavila, Walapane to keep monkeys from ransacking houses by increasing the availability of their food sources.
Officials also planted Murunga in the Kirthi Bandarapura area in Walapane as a measure to help people to address the food shortage by community-based cultivation. Another tree planting event took place at Ragala Estate where officials and estate workers planted trees together.
Galle District too had celebrations in parallel to the main celebration at Galle Face green. The district’s main event was held at the Dharmapala Park situated near Galle Railway Station. Governor of the Southern Province Willy Gamage hoisted the national flag ceremoniously and started the event. The national anthem was sung by students of Sangamitta Girls’ School. The Independence Day message was read by Governor Gamage. School children performed cultural events. The event was organised by both the
Southern Provincial Council and Galle District Secretariat. Galle District Secretary, Shantha Weerasinghe, Galle Municipal Council, and Mayor Priyantha Sahabandu and state officials participated.
The North and North Eastern Province held independence celebrations despite protests by university students. The District Secretaries of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee had separate events to mark independence.
The event at the Vavuniya Municipal Council grounds was held under the patronage of State Minister Khader Mastan. As the event progressed, over 31 persons including 28 students fainted as they were made to stand in the sun for a long period when preparing for a band music parade.
The Batticaloa District Secretariat had a celebration under the patronage of District Secretary Kalamathi Padmaraja. The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by the District Secretary, while the national anthem was played by officials at the secretariat. School bands played music. Traditional art and cultural events were staged by the school students as well as students of Swami Vibulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University.
Prizes were given to the best home gardens in the districts. The District Secretary also took part in a tree planting ceremony. The event was attended by religious leaders, senior officers of the tri-forces including Brigadier Dilupa Bandara of the 231st Army Regiment, senior officers of the Police, Divisional Secretaries, officials of other departments and officials of the District Secretariat.
Pix by Hiran Priyankara, B G Chathuranga, Palitha Ariyawansa, Alugolla Wickramasinghe, Amadoru Amarajeewa, Priyani Mangalika