Sri Lankans celebrate 70th Independence Day |03 February 2018

Under the theme ‘One Nation’ this year there will be many celebrations taking place in Sri Lanka. The main event being at Galle Face Green on February 4, 2018.

In Seychelles on Sunday, the official flag hoisting ceremony will take place at the High Commissioner’s Residence in the morning and a traditional cultural show in the evening at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS).

This year also marks the 200th anniversary of the UVA rebellion (1818). Though Sri Lanka is well known for obtaining her independence in 1948 without any bloodshed, many people lost their lives during the rebellion trying to maintain their independence from foreign rule. Countless villages were destroyed including crop and livestock. Innocent lives were not spared in their effort, the British did manage to bring the rebellion under control by either executing, imprisoning or banishing the rebels from the country.

In November 1818, the rebellion was finally contained when the hero of the rebellion Keppetipola Maha Disawa was beheaded.

Thanks to their effort, determination and fearless spirit during the rebellion, 13 decades later on February 4, 1948 independence was granted to the people of Ceylon (Sri Lanka, as then know). Though their lives were sacrificed, their dreams were finally realised!

Ruth Mohotti

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