• Reduction in military personnel; no armoured vehicles; only 3 aircrafts

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha revealed that there have been some changes made to the Independence Day parade’s structure.

Arrangements have been made to hold the 77th Independence Day celebrations on 4 February at the Independence Square in Colombo.

Minister of Public Administration, Prof. A.H.M.H. Abayarathna said that the theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations is: ‘Let’s Rally for National Renaissance (Jathika Punarudhayata Pelagasemu)’. He made this statement during a press conference at the Department of Government Information yesterday (30).

During the press briefing, Thuyacontha stated that this year’s military parade will consist of 1,873 personnel, a reduction of 1,511 members compared to last year. He also confirmed that armoured vehicles from the three armed forces will not be included in this year’s Independence Day celebrations. Additionally, he stated that the Navy will conduct 25 traditional gun salutes and only three aircrafts will be used for the Independence Day celebrations this year, a decrease from the 19 aircrafts used last time.