Sri Lankan Independence Day (4 February) is usually marked by a grand parade in the capital of Colombo; There are important political speeches and ceremonies, followed by a festive series of cultural events that highlight the best of Sri Lankan music, dance, food and history. It is a country-wide celebration, with a military parade in Colombo, airshows, fireworks, ceremonial double-end drums (Magul Bera), chanting of the Jayamangala saga, and a close and personal view of the President's iconic flag hoisting ceremony. The holiday is known as National Day. Once known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka was a major economic center and port for the British Empire, giving it quasi-independent 'dominance' status in 1948. Sri Lanka became a full republic on 22 May 1972 and formally known as democratic. Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was Don Stephen Senanayake, widely regarded as the Father of the Nation. In 1972, William ...