Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said he boycotted the 71st Independence Day state ceremony as the Home Affairs Ministry did not acknowledge his military tile as Field Marshal. 

Speaking to the media in Gampha yesterday, Fonseka said he was only invited for the Independence Day event as a ruling party MP. 

Fonseka maintained that he should receive a special invitation for the event as the only Field Marshal in the country. 

"Not acknowledging my rightful military position amounts to a violation of Army discipline," he explained. 

The former Army Commander also added that the President's move to deprive him of a ministerial portfolio was another reason for "boycott".

"How can I celebrate freedom at a place where my freedom is not respected?" Fonseka asked. 

The former Army Commander blamed that there could be a "political hand" behind the moves to undermine his military position. 

Meanwhile, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga also did not attend the Independence Day ceremony yesterday. However, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who did not attend Independence Day state ceremonies after 2015, was present at the national event this time, in his capacity as the Opposition Leader.