COLOMBO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be the chief guest at Sri Lanka's 71st Independence Day celebrations which will be held in Colombo on Feb. 4, local media reported Thursday.

Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Vajira Abeywardana said the celebrations will be held opposite the Galle Face Green in Colombo under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This year's celebrations will include a cultural pageant comprising of 865 musicians and dancers, a special military parade by Police, Tri-forces, civil security forces and the National Cadet Corps. The religious ceremonies will be held in temples, mosques and churches.

The celebrations will end with a 25-gun salute to the nation.