Sri Lanka's New President Calls For Unity, Co-existence And Harmony At Independence Day Celebrations

THE EPOCH-MAKING COMMEMORATION of Sri Lanka's 58th Independence Day (National Day) with the participation of the Head of State and thousands of Sri Lankan citizens was marked on Saturday (04th February) at the salubrious Colombo Galle Face esplanade during a spectacular display, attended by many VIPs, service personnel, school children and a host of other foreign and local dignitaries.

This year's Independence Day ceremony under the theme, “An Independent nation-a free country” remained freely open to the masses unlike in the past after a lapse of several years following a directive given by His Excellency, the President Mahinda Rajapakse who is deemed a personage that does not want to lose the common touch.

Colourful and dignified military parades, President's Salute, Guard of Honour, Gun Salutes, March Pasts, Air Force and Naval displays by service, police personnel and school children, added magnificence and grandeur to this historic commemoration, blended in with new rays of hope, prosperity and finally durable peace to this island-nation.

Arrival of Inspector General of Police, Air Force, Navy and Army Commanders, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Minister for Western Province, Governor for Western Province, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Chief Justice, Speaker and Prime Minister along with many of their spouses brought the stage elegantly set for the onset of Day's ceremonials, as the blowing of trumpets heralded the arrival of the President.

Chief Guest His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapakse, the country's newly elected Head of State and Mrs Shiranthi Rajapakse, the First Lady were welcomed on arrival at the venue by the Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and a ministerial delegation representing the Government of Sri Lanka.

Seconds afterwards, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Donald Perera and Inspector General of the Police Chandra Fernando conducted the President Rajapakse to the main flag mast, to officially inaugurate the Day's proceedings.

The raising of the National Flag took the centre stage as profound resonance of traditional and auspicious drums, “Magul Bera” and conch shells began to reverberate through the comforting winds that blow from the seas ahead as all the invitees stood in attention.

A bevy of schoolgirls representing Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities, including some from Weeraketiya Rajapakse Central College, the native place of the President, collectively sang the National Anthem as the National Flag began to unfurl at the mast. Seconds afterwards the Chief of Defence Staff, tri-service Commanders and the Inspector General of Police ushered the President Rajapakse to the special dais.

To invoke blessings on the Nation, a recital of “Jaya Mangala Gathas” got then under way. Following was the occasion to pay respect to all Fallen Heroes who had laid down their lives for defence of their Motherland. The two-minute silence observed by all those invitees and other onlookers added a special significance and a solemn dignity to the occasion. The stage turned set then to offer the President with the Guard of Honour, the highest laurel presented to a dignitary in the military tradition as the band tuned the melody of the National Anthem. The Guard of Honour to the President followed the 21 Gun Salute accorded on behalf of the President in his honour.

The day's proceedings reached its climax as the President in conformity with age-old traditions began his address to the Nation highlighting the themes of co-existence, harmony, unity and prosperity. The culmination of his address saw the Parade Commander of the March Past, Major General T.T.R. de Silva declared the beginning of the March Past of the tri-services, Police and school cadets, preceded by the Mechanized Column which consisted of Armour, Artillery and Signals.

A fleet of over forty aircraft of the Air Force in the meantime thrilled the gathering in what was seen as a display of air acrobatics and air power after showing their skills to the amusement and astonishment of the crowds while another fleet of Naval craft belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy marked their presence in the sea at Galle Face, showing their naval capabilities.

The day's ceremonials drew to a close with another round of 25-Gun Salute, raised by the Navy in honour of the Nation.