Indian community in Sri Lanka celebrated the nation's 71st Independence Day with nationalistic fervor. <br/><br/>The main ceremony was held at the India House in Colombo this morning where Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurled the Indian tricolor and read out excerpts of speech of the President, Shri Ramnath Kovind. <br/><br/>The ceremony was attended by hundreds of Indian citizens living in the city. A BSF contingent staged an impressive march past. <br/><br/>Addressing the gathering, Indian High Commissioner recalled the landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka earlier this year and said that Prime Minister's policy of neighbourhood first has already started paying rich dividends. <br/><br/>He recounted the steps taken to strengthen the bonds between the two neighbours.<br/><br/>The ceremony closed with staging of dance performances by artistes from Indian cultural centre in Colombo. Later, the High Commissioner and officials of the Indian High Commission paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the Indian Peace Keeping Force Memorial at Battaramula in Colombo.<br/><br/>The High Commission is also organizing a special event in Colombo featuring Rhythmscape by legendary maestro Pandit Bickram Ghosh to celebrate completion of 70 years of independence of India. <br/><br/>One of world's greatest Tabla maestros, Pandit Bickram Ghosh has been nominated for Oscar and many Grammy awards. Through a variety of musical instruments, Rhythmscape will explore the journey of ancient classical Indian music to the world of contemporary fusion music. <br/><br/>It is being organized with the support of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka.