Santosh Jha (11th from left) and officers of High Commission of India pay homage at the (IPKF) Memorial to the memory of the Indian soldiers of IPKF who defended peace in Sri Lanka during a ceremony to mark the India’s 78th Independence Day

78th Independence Day of India was celebrated in various parts of Sri Lanka on August 15. The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India. The independence of India is important in that it led to many other Asian countries gaining their own independence from the British ‘Empire’, including Sri Lanka in 1948.
Several cultural events added vibrancy to the celebrations. The Sri Lanka Navy Band delivered melodious tunes, embodying valour and patriotism, while the visiting ICCR troupe from India, led by Ranjit Gogoi, captivated the audience with a Bihu Dance performance.
According to a press release issued by the Indian High Commission, The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha hoisted India’s National Flag and inspected the Guard of Honour. He along with officers of High Commission of India paid homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in memory of members of the IPKF who made sacrifices to ensure peace and unity of 
Sri Lanka.