February 4 Sri Lankan Independence Day

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 Gopalava became the first President of Sri Lanka, replacing the Governor of the British Empire.  Independence Day is also celebrated by migrant communities of Sri Lanka in other countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Singapore and the United States.  

 Independence Day is considered an extremely important national holiday, which means that banks, post offices and other public institutions will not be open.  

 

 The Galle Face Green is the usual venue for Colombo's Independence Day celebrations - this 12-acre coastal park was once the site of a cannon battle between the Dutch and the Portuguese.  Historic cannons still sit along the coastline (and Cannonball Run to commemorate an unfortunate misfiring in 1840.).  It has a 1.6 km long seaside walk and is considered the largest open-air space in Colombo.  Everyday meals here include food vendors, busy families, joggers, youngsters on the palm and kite flying.  Due to its location and size, Galle Face Green is a popular venue for major political rallies and civic events, although everyone tries to put their differences aside for the preparations for Independence Day.  Best seller in sports on amazon

 In Sri Lanka the major religions are Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Roman Catholicism and Christians  During the week before February, each community celebrates Independence Day by holding religious ceremonies in their respective temples and mosques.  Visitors in Colombo can observe a wide variety of ceremonies, including Buddhist Pyrith chanting at Independence Chowk and Hindu worship ceremonies at prominent temples.

The President gives an annual address, considered as an important annual event for the country, in which he covers the country's past sacrifices and conflicts and holds two minutes of silence to remember past war heroes.

 The oil lamp lighting ceremony is used to mark major events in Sri Lanka, and Independence Day is no exception.    The National Museum of Colombo boasts an amazing collection of oil lamps, often embellished with beautiful brass animals and other decorative details.

 What could be more a symbol of national pride than a hoisting of one's national emblem?  Expect to see the orange, green and maroon fluttering the flag - complete with a gold lion holding a castane sword - looking at homes, businesses and flagpoles.  The three main colors of the flag represent three main demographics in Sri Lanka - maroon for majority Sinhalese, orange for Sri Lankan Tamils, and green for Sri Lankan Muslims.  The lion symbol dates back to 486 BC, when the first king of Sri Lanka, Vijaya, brought a royal standard from India to Sri Lanka.