The fact that we as a nation lay
claim to a civilization that is unique to us needs no
restatement. It is for this very reason that from as
far back as 250 BC, as a country we faced the pressures
of foreign invasion and intrusion. For a lengthy period
of nearly 500 years we were colonized by western powers.
However, with long struggles and
dedicated service and sacrifice of the lives of many
of our heroes in these freedom struggles we obtained
independence in 1948. However, we must not forget that
this was transformed into a genuine and complete freedom
only with the proclamation of the first Republican Constitution
in 1972, when Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister,
and I too made by own contribution towards it as the
youngest member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted
the Republican Constitution. For whatever reason, it
is unfortunate that all of us have for so long forgotten
to celebrate that great Republic Day. It should not
be so.
Whatever the manner we obtained independence
in 1948, I do not believe that in the period since the
obtaining of independence we have been able to use all
our strengths and resources to best effect to justify
the struggles that went before. However, I state with
pride that we have on no occasion fled in the face of
challenges. The true story that stands out in our history
is that on every occasion when we were united we emerged
victorious. We are by nature a peaceful nation and people.
The culture of
our lives has been nourished by the teachings of Buddhism,
Hinduism, and other religions that flourish in our land,
and whenever there were challenges before us we faced
them with courage.
All countries, including ours, which
gained independence after a long period of colonial
subjugation, were faced with a range of the same type
of social, economic, and political challenges. The great
expectation of all those national heroes, national leaders,
and pathfinders to freedom who
dedicated themselves and carried out a variety of struggles
to gain independence to all these countries, was to
overcome subjugation in all its forms among the people,
make way for the emergence of free citizens and build
a state that comprised such free and independent citizens.
Whatever freedom we have inherited today as a free country
and nation, the honour for it belongs to those great
leaders who even with the sacrifice of their lives handed
down to us a heritage of freedom. Therefore, I consider
it as our very special responsibility on this occasion,
to remember them all with great respect.
In the latter half of the 19th Century
and the first half of the 20th Century a national movement
emerged that sought to obtain freedom to our country.
There were many facets to this national freedom movement.
It carried on a struggle to obtain an independent country
and a democratic
system of government through constitutional reforms.
A number of our national leaders carried on this movement
for national independence paying no heed to differences
of race, religion of political belief. The movement
for national independence also emerged in the form of
a movement for religious revival. Our Sinhala, Tamil
and Muslim and other national leaders toiled hard to
build a sense of national feeling, pride and patriotism
among the peoples of all races and religions in our
country. They also
worked tirelessly to plant the seeds of peaceful coexistence
among our people based on the core values of religion.
Those who carried on a struggle to
build a more just and equitable society from the Left
Movement, the Working Class Movement and the "Suriya
Mal" Movement merged with the broader national
freedom movement.
In the fields of language, literature
and culture too there were many who played a significant
role towards the goal of a free and independent nation,
whose names will always be treasured by us all.
I also recall here the poets of the
Colombo Era, and many other distinguished personalities
who worked with great dedication in a commitment to
take our country forward. In addition, we are all aware
that there were many among your parents and mine, who
without any publicity or fanfare, worked hard in various
fronts and movements with the fervent wish of achieving
freedom for our country. To all of them we extend our
highest tribute and honour on this proud occasion.
My dear friends, many are the gains
that we have won through freedom. We should not underestimate
them. With the Freedom of 1948 what we obtained was
a free, independent state that was based on the sovereignty
of the people expressed through universal suffrage.
Despite whatever shortcomings, the fact that we have
been able to continue with a free and democratic state
for more than half a century is indeed a victory for
us Sri Lankans. The success of our educational system
enabled us to build a society with a high level of literacy.
The improvements in our health services brought many
benefits and achievements to our people. Although there
is conflict due to various political challenges before
us today, overall the spirit of cooperation and understanding
has been preserved at a high level among the various
ethnic and religious communities of our land. This City
of Colombo where we celebrate this anniversary of independence
is a good example of such coexistence and diversity.
However, my dear friends, it is important
to realize that breaking the shackles of subjugation
in a country or society is not confined to winning freedom
from colonial rule. It is necessary for the life of
the citizen to be also freed from all forms of subjugation.
The State should always be one that is free of subjugation
in every form. In considering all these, I wish to state
that here that we do have many challenges to be resolved
and overcome.
The first among these challenges
is that of finding a solution to the national issue
that remains unresolved through many years and achieve
a genuine and sustainable peace. Similarly, there are
also many other challenges such as the need to strengthen
our economy, achieve political stability, and use our
human resources to best effect for the advancement of
our country. I strongly believe that we can successfully
face up to all these challenges and achieve success
for our country. However, there is one
pre-condition to achieve this success. It is that we
should be united to achieve these high and daunting
goals. Many efforts made in the past to achieve peace
have failed. However, there is no benefit achieved in
blaming the past. We should not forget the past, but
instead learn from the lessons of the past. There is,
therefore, the need to establish a structure of State
to bring about the genuine participation of all sections
of our people in development activities the administration
of government.
At the recent President Election
the majority of the people endorsed the need to forge
a common understanding among the political parties and
forces in the South, taking into consideration the aspirations
of all our people. We are now implementing what the
people endorsed. In a few days our
government will begin discussions with the LTTE. We
began the search for a southern consensus by separate
talks with political parties and through the All Party
Conference. I am already aware that this approach has
been successful. I am not politically selfish as to
claim the benefits of this success for myself. This
success should be shared equally among the Government
and all those of the Opposition who participated in
this effort.
This activity can move forward only
by a full understanding of the lessons to be drawn from
the mistakes and misleading of the past. This country
is one that belongs to all Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim,
Burgher and other peoples to whom this is home. We cannot
solve this problem by dividing this
country. That will only lead to aggravating the crisis.
That is why we came out with the slogan "Towards
a New Sri Lanka". Although in the political theme
in the recent election, it should now be the theme of
the country and nation. In order to overcome all subjugation
and build a new free and
independent country our thinking and aspirations should
be new. Our goals should be new and the manner in which
we work should also be new.
Honoured friends, we should bear
well in our minds that if we are to stop the increasing
flow of blood through war we should shed more and more
sweat in the cause of peace.
The new peace process that we launch
for a New Sri Lanka shall in all ways be a transparent
process. There is nothing to hide in it. We are not
preparing to forcibly bring about a solution. Similarly,
we shall not be frightened by threats from any quarter.
Our aim is to bring about a national consensus from
a solution that is brought about by broad and deep discussion.
Therefore, on this very special occasion, I wish to
make an open appeal with great honesty to the main opposition
party and all other
political parties and movements to extend their support
to us in carrying out this task. I invite all of you
to set aside whatever narrow debates and divisions there
may be, and be united and come together with a singular
determination to overcome this challenge that has evaded
solution for half a century, because in the national
agenda "country" should be ahead of all other
issues.
We have also given priority towards
restructuring the economy so as to enable all the people
of the country to share the dividends of economic growth;
building of a disciplined and law abiding society through
the highest respect for the Rule of Law; and by this
means build a country that is best suited for our children
to grow up in. I have already launched the campaign
to save our future generation from the menace of drugs.
My government and I have the strength and courage to
take whatever steps that necessary to see the establishment
of a civilized and disciplined Sri Lankan society.
I am prepared to face challenges
on behalf of the future of this country, to change the
popular trend that has enabled people who are lavish
with money to see that the institutions of the law are
misused in their favour and interests. Similarly, whether
in the North or South, I wish to state that I will act
to protect human rights and values, as a person who
has been dedicated to the cause of human rights for
35 years.
My request to all the friends of
Sri Lanka living abroad and all countries friendly to
Sri Lanka, is to extend the cooperation necessary to
help maintain the peace and dignity of this free and
independent country named Sri Lanka, located in the
Indian Ocean, that has an Asian civilization running
back through many centuries and whose people are the
inheritors of such a rich culture.
We have launched a development programme
that works in tandem with the peace process to help
rebuild and restore the livelihoods of people battered
by war and ravages of the Tsunami. We expect to launch
a special programme of national integration this year
to build greater amity and
trust among our people.
My dear friends, my principles of
governance are those of good governance; responsible
governance; the Rule of Law, and righteous governance.
It is my belief that in our country that has now passed
more than half a century since independence, what is
necessary to gain victory over the immense
challenges before us, is a system of governance based
on what is righteous. I believe that this will help
our citizens to work towards the genuine advance of
our country without any doubts or fears. It will also
lead to the building of a polity that eschews narrow
debates and divisions and encourages genuine development.
On this important occasion I wish to once again place
before you the need to forge the bonds of a united society
that has come together to build a New Sri Lanka.
It is we who can bring the real glory
to our National Flag that flutters in the air and the
National Anthem whose strains we hear in the wind. I
am not willing to hand this responsibility to our next
generation. However difficult it may be, with whatever
means, it is my determination to face up to these main
challenges and achieve victory.
Yes! I shall definitely carry out
this task. What I ask of my people who love this blessed
land is to extend to me your great strength that is
required for this.
"Freedom" is the path to
the greatest victories to a nation. "Freedom"
is to safeguard and defend the victories achieved. Therefore,
on this path of freedom let us work together to achieve
success and victory! Let us achieve victory with dedication!
Let us join our hands in unity to offer to our revered
motherland the victories she deserves!
I wish you all success in the future!
May you be blessed by the Triple
Gem!
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