60th Independence celebrations to begin on February 2

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Government has planned to celebrate the 60th Independence Day this year on a grand scale despite several challenges, said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya addressing the media on the National Day programmes.

The Government would have achieved more economic development if the country was not ethnically divided, Minister added. "Our responsibility is to safeguard what we have achieved during the past six decades since 1948," Jayasuriya stressed.

He said the National Day programme would commence on February 02, with all-night Pirith Chanting at the Independence Square, Colombo 07 and will be concluded on February 04 with a Cultural Pageant at the BMICH.

All arrangements have been made to release a special Rs. 5 stamp to mark the 60th National Day celebrations, the Minister said.

Responding to the Media, Minister Jayasuriya said that security will be strengthened for the safety of all participants with the assistance of three Armed Forces.

Ministry Secretary D. Dissanayake also addressed the media.