Written by: Rtr. Pabasara Madhubhani

“Independence is not just the freedom from oppression, but the celebration of a nation’s spirit, its culture, and its future. On February 4th, Sri Lanka remembers the power of resilience and unity that paved the way for a brighter tomorrow.”

As February begins, the global community is eager to celebrate Valentine’s Day, while the majority of the Sri Lankan community is eager to celebrate their Independence Day. But beyond the ceremonies and celebrations, what does this day truly represent for the people of Sri Lanka? For that, firstly, let’s focus the historical background of Sri Lankans independence day.

The journey to independence

During the reign of the kings of Sri Lanka in the past, the Portuguese and the Dutch controlled various maritime borders of the island, disrupting that rule and harassing the Sri Lankans. After that, the British misled King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe and conquered the entire island. During that time, the Sri Lankans had to suffer great physical and mental torture from them, as well as unbearable levels of taxation. After various struggles, battles and protest movements carried out by brave Sri Lankans who felt the need to be free from this oppressive situation, independence was achieved on February 4, 1948.

The meaning behind Independence day

Accordingly, Sri Lankans celebrate Independence Day not only to symbolize their liberation from British colonial rule, but also to demonstrate the heroism, unity, and resilience of the people of Sri Lanka at that time.

What do we do to celebrate Independence Day?

Sri Lankans do many things with great enthusiasm to celebrate that day. Some of them are as follows:

-Flag hosting and ceremonies

-National Independence day ceremony

-Tv and Radio Programmes

-Cultural performances

-Commemoration of heroes

-Community gathering

Among these, the national independence day ceremony is an attractive one, but it costs a lot of public money. Also, sometimes it is absurd to invite British royals as diplomatic envoys for it. Because we are celebrating the independence we got from them. We would have said okay if we had at least made great progress in social, economic, political, technological, etc. since then. But in some areas we are at the same level or even lower than when they left Sri Lanka. For example, we can take the train service in Sri Lanka.

So, as the youth in Sri Lanka, what should we do to celebrate Independence Day?

We must understand that, this day is not just a holiday, but also the best day for us to compare Sri Lanka’s progress. Sri Lanka is currently facing an economic, social, and political crisis, so we must act wisely on Independence Day in such a situation. For that, we can do social media campaigns, educational events and seminars, creative expressions and little family celebrations than large scale ceremonies. For the youth of Sri Lanka, Independence Day is not just about remembering the past but also about embracing the responsibility to shape the future. It’s a day to reflect on the challenges ahead, the opportunities available, and the way forward for the country, as we stand united in creating a brighter tomorrow.

As we celebrate the freedom won by those before us, let us remember that true independence lies in our unity, progress, and shared vision for a brighter future. Together, we continue the journey of building a Sri Lanka where every dream has the power to flourish.

Happy Independence Day Sri Lanka!