Indian community gathered in large numbers at the India House in Colombo in Sri Lanka to celebrate the 67th Republic Day this morning. In an impressive ceremony, the tricolor was unfurled by the High Commissioner Y K Sinha and this was followed by the singing of the national anthem. Amidst waving of the tricolor and singing of patriotic songs by the young and the old alike, the BSF contingent displayed an elegant march-past in honour of the Indian flag. <br/><br/>In his address, Indian High Commissioner Y K Sinha stressed on the need for greater public to public contacts to strengthen the relations between India and Sri Lanka. He said that the high profile visits of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka last year that has given a new vitality to the relationship. Later, in a brief but dignified ceremony at the IPKF memorial near Sri Lanka's Parliament House, floral tributes were paid to the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces who had fought against the LTTE in Sri Lanka. <br/><br/>The High Commissioner read out the message from the President of India. Artists of the Indian Cultural Centre presented a programme of traditional Indian dance and music.<br/><br/>Later the officials of the Indian High Commission paid floral tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force memorial for the soldiers who had laid down their lives during the Sri Lankan Civil War.