Sri Lanka celebrates its 70^th Independence Day today(Feb.04) to commemorate its internal political independence from British rule on the 4^th of February in 1948.

Many national struggles were made in the history of Sri Lanka and on the independence day all these are remembered and celebrated, while the independence movement against the British is especially recalled.

President Maithripala Sirisena says that Sri Lankans are able to withstand any challenge as a nation with a unique identity.

Issuing a message in view of the 70^th Independence day, the President said that we must once again show that Sri Lanka is a nation that can rise within a short time period.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Independence Day message said that it is our responsibility to keep in mind that true independence is only possible when we unite as one nation, rising above political, religious and ethnic differences.

Opposition Leader R Sampanthan in his Independence Day message said that it is not possible to enjoy freedom to the fullest and said that a new constitution is required to ensure equal rights to everyone.