At the official residence in Manila, the lion flag climbed the pole to mark 78 years since Sri Lanka stepped out from under empire into its own complicated light.

Ambassador Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa pulled the rope hand over hand as the anthem carried across trimmed lawns.

Then two minutes of quiet for those who died in service to the country and for victims of Cyclone Ditwah.

The ritual shifted indoors, where a Buddhist monk, a Catholic priest, a Hindu high priest and a Muslim representative lit the traditional oil lamp, joined by children invited to take part. 

Multi-faith prayers were offered in keeping with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic traditions, a public display of pluralism at a time when Sri Lanka continues to rebuild its economy and political institutions.

Messages from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath were read in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Three languages. Braided into one ceremony.