Sri Lanka, Jan. 30 -- The government has allocated Rs. 100 million from the budget 2026 for the 78th Independence Day celebrations, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils Aloka Bandara said yesterday.

He told a news conference that however, the government is planning to conduct the Independence Day celebrations at a minimum cost.

The Secretary said the total cost of last year's Independence Day celebrations was Rs. 69 million and that this year's celebrations would also be held around that range.

He said it is a usual practice to allocate funds for the celebrations from the budget as the Independence Day celebrations is the main event of the country.

The Secretary said some 2,000 invitees will attend t...