The 78th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence was commemorated with a Flag Hoisting Ceremony in Singapore on 04 February 2026 at the SEAMEO Regional Language Centre (RELC) Auditorium. The event was attended by Maha Sangha, religious dignitaries representing the Hindu, Islamic, and Catholic faiths, representatives of Sri Lankan associations and societies, and members of the Sri Lankan community in Singapore.
The formal ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by High Commissioner, Senarath Dissanayake, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp. A two-minute silence was observed in honour of national heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Ven. Buddhist monks and religious dignitaries of the Hindu, Islamic and Catholic faiths conducted religious observances, invoking blessings for the Government and the people of Sri Lanka.
The Independence Day messages of H.E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister, and Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism were read at the ceremony, and copies of the messages were made available to the attendees in the three languages of Sri Lanka.
Delivering his remarks, the High Commissioner emphasised the significance of commemorating Independence Day under the theme “Rebuilding Sri Lanka,” highlighting the nation’s resilience and collective responsibility in overcoming challenges, including the recent Cyclone Ditwah. He underscored the Government’s focus on economic recovery, inclusive development, good governance, sustainability, and digital transformation, while noting positive progress in exports, foreign direct investment, and tourism in 2025.
The High Commissioner expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of Singapore, Singapore-based organisations, friends of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan community in Singapore for their continued support and solidarity, particularly towards Sri Lanka’s relief and rebuilding efforts. A video presentation on “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” was also screened at the event.
The ceremony was conducted tri-lingually in Sinhala, Tamil and English and concluded with the playing of the National Anthem in Tamil. Following the formal proceedings, attendees were hosted to a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast with milk rice, sweetmeats, and Ceylon tea.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Singapore
08 February 2026
