77th National Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka celebrated ceremoniously on 04.02.2025 at the Independence Square, Colombo, under the patronage of the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Starting from the first Independence Day celebration in 1949, the Sri Lanka Police participated in this year’s Independence Day celebration as well under the leadership of the Acting Inspector General of Police (Attorney at Law) Mr. Priyantha Weerasuriya, having ensured the security of the ceremony. The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by the president, who arrived at the ceremony escorted by police motorcycles. Thereafter, the 77th Independence Day Ceremony commenced with the parade including, Tri-forces, Police, Civil Security Force, National Cadet Corps. Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Nishantha Chandrasekara who splendidly mounted horses, led and commanded the parade of the Sri Lanka Police, which is the prime government establishment which ensures and secures law and order in the country, established on September 03, 1866. Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Anuranga Wellage and Assistant Superintendent of Police Ruchira Karunanayake were riding on accompanying horses while bearing swords. Subsequent to that, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Minura Senarath marched in the parade bearing the police flag embedded with the motto – ‘Dhammo Have Rakkathi Dhamma Chari’, and the image of an elephant symbolizing the strength of the Sri Lanka Police, which has a proud history of 158 years. Two Sub Inspectors of Police marched bearing swords on either side. Then, Police Band, the oldest band of Sri Lanka, established in 1873, which proudly performed the National Anthem at the first Independence Day celebration, joined with the National Day parade under the direction of Drum Major Mr. Thusita Piumal. Sri Lanka Police platoon commanded by Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr. Lasitha Abeywickrama marched in the parade, under the supervision of Chief Drill Instructor – Police Sergeant Mr. Wijekon traveled. Consequently, Women Police platoon commanded by Women Assistant Superintendent of Police Mrs. Inoka Liyanage, marched in the parade of Independence Day celebration. Subsequently, it was the proud moment that the Police Special Task Force, which was established in 1983 and which is dubbed “the greatest paramilitary force in South Asia”, joined the parade and saluted the President. Attorney at Law, Waruna Jayasundara, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, serves as its Commandant. The flag of the Special Task Force, with the motto of ‘Victory Assured’, was carried by Asela Sampath, Chief Inspector of Police. The pride of the parade was expressed by the Special Task Force platoon commanded by P.K.N. Kulathunga, Assistant Superintendent of Police, which was led by the Police Special Task Force Band conducted by Drum Major Suneth Perera. R.M.S.K. Rathnayaka marched as the drill instructor of the Police Special Task Force. Subsequently, the Police Mounted Officers, commanded by Mr. Kamal Paliskara, Senior Superintendent of Police joined the parade in its most colourful occasion. The Police mounted duties, established with 08 British police officers in 1921, have been recorded in history as the second occasion where mounted officers were deployed for police duties. The rehearsals of the Independence Day parade were carried out, also in this year, under the supervision of Mr. Sajeewa Medawatte, Senior Superintendent of Police, Training and Higher Training, and commentary of the Police parade was done by Police Media Spokesperson Mr. Buddhika Manatunga, Attorney at Law, Senior Superintendent of Police.
