Colombo, Feb 4 (IANS): Sri Lanka celebrated the 70th anniversary of its Independence here on Sunday with grand military parades and attendance of political leaders.

Sri Lanka tri-forces held a colourful grand parade along the Galle Road, close to the Colombo Harbour to celebrate the 70th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule in 1948, Xinhua reported.

In his speech, President Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lanka would gain complete independence only after achieving complete economic and cultural freedom.

The year 2018 will be a crucial year for Sri Lanka in achieving economic freedom, and the government must ensure the country achieves its long term goals, said the president.

"We must remember that true freedom does not comprise only of political freedom. As a country, our future successes lie in our commitment to achieving long term goals with firm determination, as we have done in the past," Sirisena said.

He paid tribute to the patriots who had sacrificed their lives in achieving the country's freedom over the years.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that since being elected to power, the government had been consistently focusing on creating the right social and political climate needed to build a society that is indeed free and stable.