Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo on February 4. He reached Colombo on Thursday, said an official, adding that he will have a number of meetings apart from joining the Independence Day programmes there. Sri Lankan State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received Foreign Minister Dr Momen upon his arrival in Colombo. The main ceremony of the National Independence Day celebrations will be held on February 4 at 8.30 am at Galle Face Green under the patronage of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Earlier, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given out instructions to celebrate the 75th Independence Day “with pride at minimal cost” and with the new reformist programme for the next 25 years. Read More: Bangladesh's Nur Khan among winners of US' Global Human Rights Defender Award The Foreign Minister is likely to meet the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister apart from his meeting with Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry during his stay in Colombo. Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Bimala Rai Paudyal will also join the celebrations and is likely to have a meeting with Minister Momen. As part of the 75th Independence Day celebration, a number of programmes are scheduled to be held from February 2 to 19. Read More: Bangladesh playing a critical, life-saving role in responding to climate-related disasters: Gwyn Lewis “We must celebrate the 75th Independence Anniversary; otherwise, the world will say that we are not capable of even celebrating our independence. Similarly, we need to attract tourists and investors to our country. We need to build a positive image of our country. Therefore, let us minimize our expenditure and celebrate our Day of Independence,” Sri Lankan media quoted President Ranil Wickremesinghe as saying. Read More: Dhaka urges Riyadh to consider crude or refined oil on deferred payment basis.