Invitees have been requested to be in their seats at 8.00 a.m. as a special security plan has been arranged for the main celebrations, IGP Illangakoon said.

He said late comers will not be allowed to attend the function. The special security plan will be in operation from 6.30 a.m, he added.

Minister Vajira Abeywardena said around 9,000 military personnel representing the three Armed Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, National Cadet Corps and National Youth Corps will participate in the National Day parade which will be followed by a cultural pageant comprising 28 musical and dancing events.

The offering of floral tributes to the statue of D.S. Senanayake will be held at 7.30 a.m on February 3.

All flag poles near the statues of D.S. Senayayake at Independence Square will be decorated with the National Flag and Provincial Flags.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, State Ministers Ruwan Wijayawardena and Wasantha Senanayake, MP Budhdhika Pathirana, former Minister Rukman Senanayake, Southern Province Governor Hemakumara Nanayakkara and D.S. Senanayake Memorial Committee Secretary I. Dissanayake will pay floral tributes at the statue on behalf of the D S Senanayake Memorial Committee.