PM directs preparations for 74th Independence Day

The first meeting of the organizing committee of the 74th Independence Day Celebrations – 2022 was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa decided that the 74th Independence Day celebrations should be held at Independence Square in Colombo under the theme ‘Prosperous Motherland Overcoming Challenges’.

The Prime Minister instructed Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris to extend invitations to all diplomats, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners for the celebrations.

Irrigation Minister and State Minister of Home Affairs, National Defence and Disaster Management Chamal Rajapaksa was given the responsibility of inviting local guests.

Prof. Kapila Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs was entrusted with the task of recommending places of worship and times of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Catholic and Christian religious observances to coincide with Independence Day.

A project to plant 500,000 saplings is also being implemented to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that only those who have been fully vaccinated in accordance with proper health practices should participate in the festivities, the Prime Minister’s Media Division said.