By Ifham Nizam and Minidu Ekanayake

The 67th Independence Day celebrations will include all government bigwigs, officials, diplomatic corps accredited to Sri Lanka and others, but not former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Fielding questions, Home Affairs and Fisheries Minister Joseph Michael Perera said usually it was not the norm to invite a former President.

He said the 67th Independence Day celebration would be held under the theme Piripun Maubimak,-Abiman Heta Dinak (a prosperous motherland, a dignifying tomorrow) at Parliament grounds at 8 a.m. on February 4, under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

Perera said that prior to the commencement of the ceremony, floral tributes would be paid to the statue of the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka D. S. Senanayake opposite Independence Square, Colombo 7 at the auspicious time of 7.30 a.m.

Briefing the media at the Information Department on Monday, he said the Independence parade would consist of 5,922 personnel from tri forces, police, Civil Defence Force and youth brigade. A 600 strong cultural troupe would also perform, he added.

Parallel to the Independence Day ceremony, a Pirith chanting ceremony will be held at Independence Square on February 2 followed by an alms giving for monks of the Sri Lanka Maha Pirivena, Maradana the following day.

The Independence Day celebrations will also be conducted at the provincial level.

Courtesy:The Island