The event commenced with the offering of Buddha Pooja. The Maha Sanga chanted pirith to invoke blessings on His Excellency the President and the people of Sri Lanka. After the Buddha Pooja, the official National Day Programme commenced.

Ambassador H.R. Piyasiri, hoisted the National Flag to the accompaniment of Magul Bera and all the participants sang the National Anthem and observed two minutes of silence to salute the martyr’s who fought for the independence of Sri Lanka.

This was followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and then a multi Religious ceremony was held with observance by the Buddhist - Ven. Badantha Thero, Christian - Rev. Father Joseph Maung Win, Hindu - Rev. Sundaran, Chief Priest Hindu Temple and Islam - Maulana Yacood Noor Mohammed Habib.

The Independence Day Messages of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs was read.

After the reading of messages Ambassador Piyasiri addressing the gathering emphasized that under the dynamic leadership of the President, the government is determines to foster a national amity amongst all communities in Sri Lanka.