<span style="color: black;">The 74th Independence day was celebrated by Indian community in Sri Lanka with enthusiasm and nationalistic fervor. The main ceremony was held at the India House in Colombo this morning where Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagalay unfurled the Indian tricolor and read out excerpts of speech of the President, Shri Ramnath Kovind. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">The ceremony was  attended by officials and family members of Indian High commission. A BSF contingent staged an impressive march past. Patriotic songs played by Sri Lankan navy bands remained the highlight of the program. The ceremony closed with staging of dance performances by artistes from Swami Vivekanand cultural centre in Colombo. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">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 Battaramulla in Colombo. Similar celebrations are being held by Indian consulates in Jaffna, Hambantota and Kandy.</span><br />