SRI LANKA
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
One of the most important National festival in Sri Lanka,
Independence Day, is celebrated on the 04th February
each Year. It celebrates, 433 Years of liberation from
foreign influence and became a Independent Country.
With the Portuguese conquest of the coastal areas in 1505,
Sri Lanka became a part of colonies. The Dutch who came
thereafter chased away the Portugues. Later the British
expelled the Dutch and ruled Sri Lanka. Thus Sri Lanka
became a British Colony from 02nd March 1815
to 04th February 1948 Finally, Sri Lanka became
an Independent State on February 04th,
1948 as a result of longstanding National struggles.


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HEROES WHO FOUGHT FOR 
FREEDOM IN SRI LANKA


The national heroes and leaders
who took the lead in the liberation
of Sri Lanka from the colonial occupation
in 1948 became a great nation. Buddhist
Monks were among them. Some of them
were sacrificed their lives for the 
Independence of Sri Lanka. Others
were imprisoned. At the same time,
there were also very dedicated authors.
Freedom is the only wish of all.
We enjoy freedom today that they took.
The great people who fought for the
freedom can never be forgotten.
In present day, we celebrate all
these heroes with great pride.

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KING SEETHAWAKA RAJASINGHE


This was a king a how fought to oust
the Protugeses. The son of King Mayadunna,
Tikiri Bandara alias Rajasinghe, defeated
the Portuguese army of king Dharmapala in the
Battle of Mulleriyawa. According Rajavaliya
the Mulleriyawa paddy field was full of
Portuguese blood in this battle.

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AHALEPOLA MAHA ADIKARAM


Ehalepola, who was the Maha Adikaram of
King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, later attracted
the attention of the English.
But the rebellion of 1818 offered to lead
the Sinhalese. So the English were arrested
and deported to the Island of Murusi.

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MONARAVILA KAPPETIPOLA


A great porson who was a hero of the Uva Wellassa
Rebellion 1818. He was later arrested by the
English and He was killed (Separating the head from
the whole body by sharp sword) on November 26, 1818
near Bogambara Lake.

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BOOTAWE RATE RALA

Bootawe Rate Rala was a another hero who revived to
the Uva Wellassa Rebellion in 1818. The hero of
Bootawe Rate Rala, who was arrested along with the
hero of Keppetipola, was also killed by the English.

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MADUGALLE DISAWA


He was a hero who supported the fight in the Kanda Udarata,
First Fight for freedom against the British. English was
arrested and later beheaded.

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VEERA MADDUMA BANDARA


His father was Ahalepola Nilame who fought for the
Country and nation. King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe was unable
to arrest Ahlepola Nilame, and all the family of Ahalepola
Nilame was sentenced to death. Madduma Bandara was 7 years old
at the time and Has faced death fearlessly for his love for
the Country and nation. When his oldest brother was afraid of
being beheaded, Maduma Bandara told him not to be afraid and
that he would show him how to die.

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GONGALEGODA BANDA


In 1848, The English administration were imposed
Excessive taxes on Sri Lankan people. They began to
charge the people with unbearable taxes. This has led to
a rebellion in the country. Gongalegoda Banda
was a one hero in that rebellion. But on November 27,
1848, he was arrested by the English. He was later
convicted in a court martial in 1849 for his support for the rebellion.
As a result, he was given 100 Whiplash and deported to Malacca