Suddenly, the national flags mushroom from bikes to three-wheelers to houses, and you know it’s the time of the year. You see flags of varying sizes everywhere, swaying with the wind. All the decorations are to celebrate a day as one country, that’s the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, dated on the 4th of February, reminding of Sri Lanka gaining freedom from their last colonizer, the British. On the 4th of 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.
Thus, the 4th of February is usually a day of festivities in Sri Lanka. The main Independence Day celebrations are held in Colombo with the participation of the President and distinguished guests from all over the world. The main celebration is broadcast via every national and private channel on television for nearly 3 to 4 hours. The parades of the army, navy, air force, police, and cadets march with their respective bands that play numerous upbeat melodies, soothing our ears and surging our souls with nationalistic feelings. The canons are shot, and the air drills are carried out by kaffirs and parachuters. The parade also constitutes a show of battle weaponry and the newest inventions of the army. Disabled soldiers are commemorated by bringing their representation to the parade. Other than for military drills, the traditional dances and performances add color to the Independence Day celebrations.
Keeping aside the glamorous celebrations, I think it’s time to think about independence anew. Even though the British left us, granting us independence or we winning independence, do we still have the freedom we thought we’d receive in the end?
