National Day Of Srilanka - Introduce Your Child To The Celebrations

We begin teaching our child how India got its independence from the several years of British rule on 15th August 1947 and how various freedom fighters struggled for the same and lost their lives. Apart from being a true patriot towards our own country, we must also teach our child to respect other nations in the world in order to achieve peace and harmony.

Sri Lanka who will be celebrating her independence day on 4th February 2018 is an occasion to rise to respect for the country. Just like India, even Sri Lanka fought for its independence from the British rule who ruled the country for a century. By marking this occasion, you need to teach your child about the celebrations of the particular country on this Independence Day. Sri Lanka’s history of independence.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, popularly known as Sri Lanka which is located in the Indian Ocean, is a part of South East Asia. Prior to 1972, the country was known as Ceylon where it became a colony of British for more than a century. The Europeans saw a great potential in the country for plantation and it also became an important allied military base during the World War 2. The country confronted a lot of troubles during the British rule but due to the determination of the people to seek freedom from them, the country was able to fight against and eventually got independence on 4th February 1948. The country’s first elected Prime Minister was Don Stephen Senananyake.

• The event begins with the President of Sri Lanka hoisting the national flag after which Jayamangala gatha is sung.
• Two minutes of silence is observed in the memory of the heroes who fought for the independence of the nation.
• A guard of honour is accorded to the President followed by a 21 gun salute.
• The President then gives a speech about the nation’s overall development by achieving ethnic reconciliation and religious coexistence. He also address the fact that how the nation consists of strong, talented and intelligent people who can come together to build the country stronger.
• The President also takes a moment to remember the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives in order to protect the nation from L.T.T.E terrorism through a span of 30 years.
• The President expresses his gratitude towards those who contributed for the Independence Day.
• Around 8000 personnel representing Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Civil Security Department and National Cadet Corps participate for the annual parade. Navy and Air Force also make their sail-past and the fly-past at the bordering seas off Galle Face green amidst the parade. The parade also includes a special parachute display and vehicle parade.
• Accordingly, 183 officers and 3973 soldiers from Army, 32 officers and 878 sailors from Navy, 70 officers and 1055 airmen from Air Force, 18 officers and 470 policeman, 37 officers and 496 personnel from STF, 24 officers and 684 other ranks from Civil Security Department and more than100 personnel from National Cadet Corps participate for the parade.
• Sri Lankan Navy also accords a 25 gun salute to the nation auspiciously at 12 noon in parallel with the Independence Day ceremony at the Lighthouse, Port of Colombo.

These are the kinds of celebrations that are witnessed on the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, every year on 4th February 2018. Teach your child about secularism and how one must be at peace in order to live in harmony.