President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has attended the 71st Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka as the guest of honour. First Lady Fazna Ahmed accompanied the president in the ceremony. This was the first time a Maldivian president attended the Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka as the guest of honour.
The official ceremony took place at the Galle Face Green with the Sri Lankan president, prime minister and senior government officials and foreign dignitaries. The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, Minister of Planning and Urban Development Ahmed Aslam, Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali and a high-level delegation of the government of Maldives.
The Independence Day of Sri Lanka commemorates its official independence from the British on February 4, 1948. The national holiday is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural performances.