Published on - 2/6/2005
Sri Lanka's 57th National Day (Independence Day) celebration at the historic Independence square in Colombo on Friday (February 04), by all standards, was reminiscent of the strength and the resilience of all Sri Lankans, a nation who has been proud of its ancient grandeur, heroism and the sheer majesty from time immemorial.
Recapturing its splendour, the ceremony was dignified by the presence of Her Excellency the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and a host of other dignitaries including Diplomats. The mini-scale commemorative event at a time the country is determined to resurrect from the ashes of the recent tsunami catastrophe on 26th December 2004, is this time looked more like a catalyst, exclusively meant to stimulate the Nation and revitalize its battered economy.
Day's ceremonies got underway after arrival of Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs (Army, Navy and Air Force), followed by the Chief Minister for Western Province Reginald Cooray, Mrs Cooray, Mr Pandu Bandaranaike, Hon Deputy Minister Public Administration and Home Affairs and Mrs Bandaranaike, Governor for Western Province Alavi Moulana, Mr. Amarasiri Dodangoda, Hon Minister of Public Administration and Mrs Dodangoda, Chief Justice Mr. Sarath N Silva and Mrs Silva, Speaker, W.J.M.Lokubandara and Mrs Lokubandara, Hon Minister of River Basin Development & Rajarata Development, Mr Maithripala Sirisena, Member of Parliament, Deshabandu Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, Member of Parliament, Mr Rukman Senanayake, Mayor of Colombo Mr. Prasanna Gunawardena and a host of others. A selective representation laid floral tributes at the statue of the Father of the Nation Hon. D S Senanayake, whose unfailing efforts and vision saw the dawn of freedom to this Nation exactly 57 years ago before sessions got under way.
Minutes later, President Kumaratunga, who arrived at the venue, accompanied by mounted Policemen and Military Police outriders was received by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakshe, Mrs. Rajapakshe, Ministers Amarasiri Dodangoda, Pandu Bandaranaike, Governor Western Province, Alevi Maulana and Chief Minister Western Province Reginald Cooray amidst the blowing of trumpets as the stage was set for the dignified ceremony.
As hundreds of National flags fluttered in the slight breeze, the main ceremony at the Independence Square commenced after the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga hoisted the National Flag heralding the event to the tune of Magul Bera (ceremonial drums) and the blowing of conch shells. It was followed by the singing of the National Anthem, by a bevy of 100 school girls from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Muslim girls' colleges in Colombo.
Precisely, at 9.16 a.m. the President was conducted to the special dais by three Service Commanders and the Inspector General of Police where school children joined together to recite auspicious “Jaya Mangala Gathas†to invoke blessings of Triple Gem on the Nation and also the chanting of “Devo Vassatu Kalena'' stanza to invoke blessings of “Deva†(deities) on Sri Lanka and her people.
Thereafter a two-minute silence was observed in memory of all patriots and in honour of all those who have laid down their lives to preserve Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and those perished by the tsunami tidal waves in December last year. As playing of the National Anthem was made Service Commanders presented arms for the Guard of Honour to take center-stage while all invitees remained standing.
A colourful tri-service Guard of Honour was then accorded to the President, preceded by the 21 Gun Salute to be followed by Her Excellency, the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunge's address to the Nation before the march past of the three Armed Forces and the Police took place.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga, accompanied by three service Commanders received the march past accorded by the Army, Navy and the Air Force as the day's proceedings came to an end.
Among the marchers was the spectacle “Kandula†the caparisoned baby elephant who walked majestically to match the grandeur of this historic occasion of the country as varying melodies of their bands rented the air while raising patriotic sentiments with resonant songs like, “Peradiga Mutu Etayayi Me†Hela Jathika Abhimane†“Sasara Wasanathuru†and so on.
After a lapse of several years, the Sri Lanka Army contributed to the occasion this year with as many as 23 Regiments, enhancing the glamour of the Nation's commemorative event.
The 25 Gun Salute accorded by the Sri Lanka Navy to the honour of the Nation culminated the day's celebrations amidst best wishes and greetings on the Nation's 57th Independence Day.
