10 – 12 years
Sri Lanka’s Independence Day
Sri Lanka gained Independence on February 4, 1948. Sri Lanka was then called Ceylon by the British. D. S. Senanayake was the first Ceylonese Prime Minister. He signed the Declaration of Independence of Ceylon from Great Britain. On this day Sri Lanka gained its freedom from foreign powers. The British ruled Ceylon for nearly 200 years.
Sri Lanka’s Independence Day is celebrated every year on February 4. It is the day the President of Sri Lanka addresses the nation. It is a colourful event and we all watch it on television.
This year, the newly elected President of Sri Lanka Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressed the nation. The Prime Minister Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, ministers, members of parliament, government officers, commanders of the tri-forces, the Inspector General of Police and foreign dignitaries were present. This was followed by the most interesting part of the ceremony, the parade by the tri-forces and police. They were very smart as they march past. The president took the salute. We saw machine guns, tankers and many modern weapons.
There were traditional dancers and a pageant. There was an air display by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Sri Lanka Navy also performed a display at sea. It was interesting to watch.
I am very happy and proud of my country and one day I hope to take part in the Independence Day celebrations of my country Sri Lanka.
Eshal Borham (10 years)
Nalanda M. V., Trincomalee
13 – 15 years
Some National Heroes who fought for our Independence
A national hero is a brave and courageous person who has fought to save their country. Many well-known national heroes have fought for the independence of our country and some of them are D. S. Senanayake, C. W. W. Kannangara and Anagarika Dharmapala.
“Our nation comprises of many races, each with a culture and a history of its own”, D. S. Senanayake said one day. He was known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ and worked hard to get independence from the British non-violently. He was also the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and founded the UNP.
Ponnambalam Ramanathan was a Sri Lankan Tamil political leader who also worked to get freedon from the British. He was the Solicitor-General of Ceylon and a Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon.
C. W. W. Kannangara entered the national movement for independence. Anagarika Dharmapala was a leading figure in this movement against the British Rule. He revived Buddhism and was one of the founding contributors of non-violent Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism.
Gongalegoda Banda and Weera Puran Appu bravely led attacks against the British to get independence. Gongalegoda Banda boldly declared that he was against the British, when accused. Puran Appu headed a band of outlaws and a time of terror, to chase away the British, in a bid to get independence.
S. Mahinda Thero contributed to the Independence Movement by using his literacy work as a means of persuading Sri Lankans to fight for their country’s independence.
All these people fought for our independence…
Ifadha Deen (13 years)
Leeds Int. School, Galle
