President Maithripala Sirisena made a major blunder at his Independence Day ceremony speech saying it was Sri Lanka's 30th Independence Day. 

It was in fact Sri Lanka's 70th Independence Day as the country received Independence Day ceremony from the British Raj on February 04, 1948. 

The President made this blunder making the keynote speech at the Independence Day state ceremony held at Galle Face Green, Colombo, this morning. 

In his speech, the President said the fight against corruption was the self defence of the nation and it was an imperative need of the era.

He said that corruption has become one of the main impediments to the progress towards prosperity, which is the aspiration of all citizens.