The Most Ven Wadisinghe Migettuwatte Gunananda thera hoisted the Buddhist flag for the first time in this country on April 28, 1885 at the Deepaduttaramaya Temple, Kotahena.

Religious ceremonies were organised in temples countrywide to mark the day.

The main ceremonies to commemorate the event were held at the Independence Square and at the Deepaduttaramaya in Kotahena.

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne was the Chief Guest at the Independence Square ceremony and the Ven. Davuldena Gnanissara, Maha Nayaka thera of the Amarapura Nikaya was the Chief Guest at the Deepaduttaramaya ceremony.