Singapore, Aug 9 (IANS): Singapore on Sunday kicked off celebrations to mark 50 years since it became an independent state.

The festivities started with a recording of Singapore's founder, late Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Independence, aired all across the island nation.

The recording, made in 2012, was broadcast at 9.00 a.m radio and TV channels. Participants at the ceremonies also sang the national anthem, The Straits Times reported.

The proclamation was read by an announcer over Radio Singapore though it was issued in Lee Kuan Yew's name in 1965. To make up for this, Lee Kuan Yew agreed to do a recording of himself reading the proclamation in 2012.

"Exactly 50 years ago, a radio announcer read the Proclamation that marked the birth of our nation. This morning, at National Day Observances, we remembered and celebrated that pivotal moment," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote on a Facebook post.

This year's independence day celebration is the first without Lee Kuan Yew, who died in March at age 91. Lee played a key role in breaking away Singapore from Malaysia.