INDEPENDENCE DAY OF SRI
LANKA
SANJAYA GONSALKORALA.
BA IN SOC SCIENCES ( ENGLISH)
NATIONAL DIP IN TEACHING SOCIAL SCIENCES (ENGLISH MEDIUM(
HISTORY,GEOGRAPHY, CIVICS).RNCOE
IELTS Trainer ( BRITISH COUNCIL TRAINED)
TOT ( BRITISH COUNCIL TRAINED)
ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR , SRI LANKA NAVY
ENGLISH MEDIUM TEACHER , ANANDA COLLEGE
The independence day of Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka is celebrated on 04th
February every year.
It is also called as the National Day.
History
Sri Lanka is a country which has a greate
history of more than 2500 years. Since the
ancient times Sri Lanka has been an
attractive place to the various nations of the
world such as,
French
Indians
Portuguese
Dutch
English
COLONIAL RULE
PORTUGUESE
1505 to 1638
BRITISH
1815 to 1948
DUTCH
1658 to 1796
5
Reasons why Sri Lanka was invaded by other
Nations
• Strategic location and geographical
features
• Natural Resources like,
Tusks
Gems
Spices
Fisheries Resources like pearls
Mineral Resources…etc
Strategic location
Sri Lanka is situated strategically at the
crossroads of major shipping routes to
South Asia, the Far East and the
continents of Europe and America,
making the country a convenient port of
call for shipping lines and airfreight
services.
Sri Lanka was invaded by various Indian
leaders time to time but the Portuguese were
the first European nation to invade Sri Lanka
and we Sri Lankan fought against them and
had many battles known as
Danthure
Balana
Randeniwela
Gannoruwa
Mulleriyawa
PORTUGUESE ARRIVED ON 15 NOV 1505
Arrival of British in Sri Lanka in In 1976
English captured Sri Lanka in 1815 and they
ruled the country until 1948, Sri Lanka gained
the freedom.
BRITISH ERA
KANDY AGAINST BRITISH
14
The next European nation to invade Sri Lanka
was Dutch. There is a famous saying which
comes with the involvement of Dutch in the
rule of Sri lanka “Trading ginger for chilies”.
But Sri Lankans fought against them
1765 Hanguranketha
There were many freedom battles against
the British colonial power
There were many heroes who fought against
British for the freedom of our country.
1818 Uva wellassa FreedomBattle
1848 Matale Freedom Battle
British introduced democratic elements to Sri Lankan
politics with the development of a constitution. After
that there were many constitutional reforms under
British governors
Colebroke
1833
Crew Macalum
1910
Manning
1920
Donoughmore
1931
Soulbury
1947
Sri Lankan Independence Movement was a
peaceful political movement. It happened over
a few decades since February 1948
the beginning of the 19th century, which unified
Sri Lankans together regardless of their
ethnicities or religions. The movement was led
by the educated middle class of Sri Lanka and
eventually succeeded on 4th
on 4 February 1948, Ceylon was granted
independence as the Dominion of Ceylon.
Dominion status within the British
Commonwealth was retained for the next
24 years until 22 May 1972 when it
became a republic and was renamed the
Republic of Sri Lanka.
WINNING INDEPENDENCE IN
1948
How is the Independence Day is celebrated?
It is celebrated all over the country through a
flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades and
performances. Usually, the main celebration
takes place in Sri Lanka where the President
raises the national flag and delivers a nationally
televised speech.
The day also commemorates the freedom
struggles and the fallen heroes and observes
two minutes of silence in their memory
On the day the parade
showcases the power of the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Police and the Civil Defense Force and
exhibitions reminds
the commitment,
bravery, national unity and determination to
achieve peace are recollected
There are also singing and performances to showcase
national unity and culture.
Religious observances are also made in many places
of worship around the country, wishing for peace and
prosperity for the country, people and the tri-forces.
The national media also tries to promote ideas like
bravery, confidence, dedication, national unity,
patriotism, nationalism, peace, national responsibility
and awareness of national history in the minds of
people.
Traditionally the Sri Lanka Navy accords a 21 gun
salute to the nation from the ceremonial naval gun
battery at the Colombo Lighthouse.
In 2023 we celebrate the 75th Independence
Day
Thank you