Independence Day

Ceylon gained her independence from the British colonial rule on the 4th of February in 1948. Independence struggle was a non-violent one led the educated middle – class and Rt Hon D.S. Senanayake became the first Prime Minister in the Dominion of Ceylon under the British Commonwealth. The day marks a national holiday and is celebrated annually with a flag-hoisting ceremony and various cultural shows.

On 22nd May 1972, Ceylon gained the republic statues and was renamed as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka in short.

Although usually the Independence Day celebrations are held in Colombo, this year the 63rd Independence Day celebrations will take place in city of Kataragama situated in the Southern region of the Island.

Kataragama is a historically significant and popular Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site, 228 km from the commercial Capital of Colombo, and situated in the vicinity of the Yala National Park.