The celebrations this year are special as India is in the 75th year of Independence - being celebrated as 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

A host of events will be held in India, including cultural and military parades will be held in India to mark the event and the Indian government has said that Republic Day celebrations will now be celebrated for a week; between Jan. 23 - 30 every year.

In Sri Lanka, the flag raising ceremony is being held in Colombo to mark the event.

The message of the Indian ambassador to Sri Lanka - Mr. Gopal Baglay, is as follows :