Independence! How symbolic and significant this simple twelve letter word has become in our lives today. What does this word really stand for? The dictionary defines it as a state of being independent, and in the context of a nation, it means being totally free of foreign rule or power.

To our ancestors who were subjected to over 450, years of foreign rule, the word independence would certainly have been like precious gold. Just imagine how proud and triumphant all those who were involved in the struggle for the freedom of our Motherland from the rule of foreigners would have been, when finally our people were given the right to rule over the country and break away from the foreign yoke?

It is said that thousands thronged the City of Colombo and Kandy to witness the opening of the first parliament and also to participate in the grand celebrations held in Kandy.

In just four days time, our Motherland will mark the 62nd anniversary of independence and again it will be celebrated with much pomp and pageantry. It is a celebration of our freedom and a day to pay tribute to the Armed Forces that play a major role in protecting the country’s sovereignty. And so, they feature prominently in the state parades and pageants held at different venues each year.

Two popular venues where Independence Day celebrations are held are the Galle Face Green and Independence Square at Torrington.

On February 4, each year our Motherland is veiled in a spirit of patriotism and various events to mark Independence Day are organised throughout the country. It is a national event much looked forward to by many, especially because of the grandiose celebrations organised by the State at either of the above mentioned venues or even in Kandy where the first Independence Day celebrations were held.

This great national event is held with spectacular pageants presented by the three Armed Forces and the Police, comprising march pasts and parades showcasing weapons and artillery, colourful floats to display the military prowess of the different regiments and also breathtaking aerial displays etc.

Many schools too participate in the parades.

The national celebrations generally get off the ground with the hoisting of the national flag by the President of the country, a rendering of the national anthem and a 21 gun salute.

At present, the entire nation, especially the State is making preparations to usher in this Independence Day which will dawn in a few days on a grand scale. Perhaps such preparations are being organised at school level too and many of you must be involved in these activities that would be held before and after February 4, as this day is generally a national holiday.

Do be alert to the various television programmes and newspaper publications carried on this significant event during this period because you can enhance your knowledge about the rich heritage of our Motherland and also learn many a lesson; the gravity of not protecting the sovereignty of our Motherland, (because it’s such acts that led to the invasion of foreign powers - the Portuguese, Dutch and British), and also the strength of unity (as it was the united struggle of all nationalities that eventually helped to gain independence.)Read about the many people who helped, even in a small way, over the many hundreds of years of foreign rule, to lay the foundation for an independent Sri Lanka!

Fact file

First Independence Day

* The first Independence Day was called the Appointed Day under the Independence Act.

* Celebrations continued from February 4 to 10, until the opening of the first Dominion Parliament of Independent (Ceylon) Sri Lanka.

* The official ceremonies were held at the Galle Face Green with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester who represented the King of England being given a 21 gun salute.

* The Dominion of Ceylon was ushered in with the booming of salutary guns at the auspicious time of 7.45 a.m. on February 4, 1948.

* The national flag - the Lion flag was hoisted for the first time at an improvised pavilion at Independence Square in Torrington.

First Parliament

* The Assembly Hall at Torrington Square is where the first Parliament of the Dominion of Ceylon was held on February 10, 1948 with King George VI’s address being read by his brother, the Duke of Gloucester.

First Cabinet

* Of the British colonies, our Motherland was the first country to get voting rights.

The first parliamentary elections were held in 1947 and the first cabinet was sworn in on February 4, 1948.The Father of the Nation, Don Stephen Senanayake (1881-1952) was the first Prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

In his message the Premier appealed to all the citizens of our country to “strive and toil willingly to advance the happiness of our people and for the establishment of a greater Lanka.”

The Prime Minister held the portfolios of the Minister of Defence and External Affairs.

* The maritime settlements of the country were administered by the Portuguese for 153 years from 1505 to 1658.

Then the Dutch invaded our motherland and took over the administration for another 138 years from 1658 to 1796.

The British ruled these areas for 19 years from 1796 to 1815 and thereafter until they captured the Kandyan Kingdom.

Thereafter they not only administered the maritime settlements but took over the administration of the entire country until our ancestors gained independence.