Citizens believe that military parades and mega celebrations are not necessary at this hour 

• Last year‘s budget for the Independence Day Celebration was Rs. 65.5 million
• A majority of people can never afford to fly, but look up at the sky, at the wastage of fuel and other resources

The first week of February is special to all Sri Lankans as they commemorate successive years of independence from colonial rule. The event has been organised with much pomp and pageantry especially as the 30-year armed conflict ended in 2009. Since then, Independence Day celebrations have been more inclined towards commemorating soldiers who sacrificed themselves to free the motherland from the enemy. Military parades, special traffic plans until the day of the event have become normal. But this time, the citizenry has doubts about what exactly the rulers are ‘celebrating’ as the country is struggling to survive through many crises from gas and fuel shortages to spontaneous power outages, soaring cost of living and the dollar crunch.  

"But this time, the citizenry has doubts about what exactly the rulers are ‘celebrating’ as the country is struggling to survive through many crises from gas and fuel shortages to spontaneous power outages, soaring cost of living and the dollar crunch"

The Daily Mirror invited social media users to comment on alternative ways in which Independence Day could be

celebrated in this situation. Alternatives such as a speech from the Head of State that could be aired on mainstream media and social media networks, charity events, freeing prisoners and giving away money to the needy were suggested.  

“Every citizen should be proud about it”

The Independence Day is a proud moment. Every citizen should be proud about it.  A strong and effective speech should be delivered by the President from his office and that should be telecasted via live without blocking roads and having useless parades. – R. Diliban 

“Spend this money on the poor”

A good governance should always stand with the citizens. Spend this money on easing the life of the poor. Make some housing schemes for the homeless. - Ahamed Arham

“Parade is a waste of time and money” 

President, Prime Minister and Chiefs of armed forces should give a speech at their offices. A parade is a waste of time and money. Spend the money on building a house or a public washroom or distribute dry goods to poor. Grant Presidential pardon to well-behaved prisoners. - Sanjuka Karunathilake

“What can the Govt. show us?”

What can the Government of Sri Lanka show us as progress since Independence? A parade on inept, corrupt politicians has only driven us into the ground. - Sumudu Dhanapala

“We should be ashamed”

Having forced colonization, resource loot, human labour exploitation and having to wait until they decide themselves to leave is something we should be ashamed of or at least forget, rather than celebrating it with victory parades. Essentially there’s nothing to be proud of. - Sascha Wickramasinghe

“Is the pomp and pageantry necessary?”

Planes are flying rehearsing for Independence Day. A majority of people can never afford to fly, but look up at the sky, at the wastage of fuel and other resources at a time when they asked people to sacrifice. Are all these vehicle parades, gun salutes, the pomp and pageantry necessary? - Godfrey P. Y

“Country needs independence from the economic war”

A small ceremony to mark the occasion is more than adequate. So-called leaders from all political parties should get together and sign a charter to develop this country. We are currently battling an economic war from which the country needs independence. - Madhura De Silva 

“Why celebrate while in debt?”

Sri Lanka is still not an independent country. Day by day Sri Lanka is falling into foreign debt trap diplomacy. So why do we have to celebrate with such expenditures? It’s a honour to the state if half of the expenses are allocated to cover on the needs of poverty-stricken segments in the country. - Zayan Jizaal

"Alternatives such as a speech from the Head of State that could be aired on mainstream media and social media networks, charity events, freeing prisoners and giving away money to the needy were suggested"

“Head of state addressing the nation would do” 

If it is a must to “celebrate”, the head of state could address the nation which could be watched by whomever who prefers to listen to some far-fetched fairytale! There is absolutely no need for this big event, spending the little money we have as a nation that has also been loaned by some government. Since we as a nation do not have any military capabilities to showcase to the world, which is the reason a parade is normally organized, we can jolly well scrap the whole thing! 
- Rajintha Weerasekara

“True freedom comes from breaking the class system”

A historical reading of displays of military power such as parades shows them to be the residue of feudal systems. War is a sacrifice of the lower classes by the upper echelons of the status quo, unable to resolve their differences over how the exploitation of their underlings is to be managed.

True freedom of the masses comes from breaking the class system, and organizing our efforts, nationally and more broadly, into projects that uplift the state of people everywhere. 
- Gayana Jayasinghe 

“Independence Day is now a commemoration more than a celebration”

Firstly, after 73 years we must re-think why we celebrate it in the first place. Independence from colonial rule is now little more than a historical fact. So re-word it to commemoration rather than celebration. Secondly, if we are to celebrate anything it should project our values as a nation coupled together with an address by the head of state reviewing the past year, and setting new goals for the next. It is not a religious or cultural event at all although we associate both with it today. It is a social and political commemoration. We must re-think these outdated practices and stop vanity spending of taxpayers’ money while setting the right example. - Angelo De Silva 

“Choosing principles over greed” 

National Week - a week dedicated to activities that uplift the poor, sick and needy. This should be conducted at Government, Private sector, and household level and should include religious observances. Head of State can address the nation. Let’s build a society that operates on principle rather than greed. - Vrai Raymond 

“We are more dependent now”

Are we really independent is a good question to start with. We’ve never been so dependent than now in our whole history. The President’s speech streaming across all TV, Radio and Social media networks would be enough under the current circumstances. - Anushane Anandharaj

Low key, but not so low?

As an important event in the calendar the State Ministry of Home Affairs has informed all state institutions to hoist the National Flag and illuminate buildings to celebrate the Independence Day. However a circular issued further states that these illuminations should be done without wasting electricity given the current situation. 
The Foreign Ministry also issued a circular to all Heads of Missions to organise Independence Day celebrations as simple ceremonies, limiting the number of Sri Lankan expatriates, as means of cutting down expenditure. 
When asked if the budget allocated for this year’s celebration is lesser than that allocated during previous years, State Ministry of Home Affairs Secretary N.H M Chithrananda said that everything is expensive this time. “We have to bear the cost from paint to every other item and therefore, the budget will be higher. We have to arrange accommodation for performers, provide complimentary packs including sanitizers and mobile toilets for invitees and all of these cost a lot of money. However, the budget will be finalised on February 4 after the event concludes.
Last year, the budget was at Rs. 65.5 million, but this year it will be a bit higher than that. But we are trying to stick to this amount as much as possible”said Chithrananda.