Ven. Members of the Maha Sangha,
Reverend Clergy of other faiths,
Hon. Prime Minister,
Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,
Hon. Governors,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
My Dear Friends,
As we celebrate this 67th anniversary of the dawn of Independence, after nearly two centuries as a nation subject to colonial rule, it is most fortunate that I am able to address you at this historic city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, today.
This occasion is of special significance because we commemorate the dawn of freedom at a time coincident with the taking of clear and resolute steps to firmly establish democracy and good governance, the Rule of Law, and a truly meaningful parliamentary system; to establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance in keeping with the mandate given by the people at the recent presidential election.
We obtained independence on February 4th 1948 as a result of the struggle for freedom carried out through a long period by our patriotic and heroic leaders. In 1815, at the very time when subjugation began and freedom was being lost, the spirit of the struggle for freedom began when Kudhapola Thero brought down the British flag in Kandy. The armed struggle to defeat the foreign forces in our country carried out in the uprisings of 1818 and 1848 did not meet with success. Later, our struggle for freedom was transformed into a determined campaign of opposition to foreign rule, in keeping with our inherent cultural and social traditions of peaceful and determined protest.
The leaders of all communities in our country participated in discussions and negotiations with the colonial power, and by way of mass protests and strikes, obtained many rights our people were entitled to, but had been denied. All our people were united in these struggles. The names that stand out among those who participated and gave leadership to these struggles are the Anagarika Dharmapala, Sir D B Jayatilleke, F R Senanayake, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Ponnambalam Ramanadan, T B Jayah, N M Perera, Philip Gunewardene, S A Wickramasinghe, Walisinghe Harischandra, and D S Senanayake.
We must also remember the immense contribution made by writers and poets such as Munidasa Cumaranatunga, Piyadasa Sirisena and other exceptional campaigners for freedom through writing, who used their pens to effectively kindle the spirit of freedom in the hearts and minds of people.
In 1956, eight years after the winning of independence, the late Prime Minister Mr. S W R D Bandaranaike gave more reality to freedom with the closing down of the British Air Force and Naval Bases at Katunayake and Trincomalee. The sovereignty of our country that remained symbolic under the British crown, even after Independence, was transformed into genuine sovereignty with the establishment of the sovereign Republic of Sri Lanka on May 22nd 1972, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. It is the expectation of our government to give due recognition to Republic Day in our country, as it is celebrated as the National Day in many other democratic countries.
The light of freedom, which remained covered under the shadow of terrorism, began to shine again after the eradication of the brutality of terrorism by the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Year 2009. Although our sovereignty and territorial integrity was retained by this, the need to proceed further towards national unity through genuine amity and friendship among people is a task that needs achievement. Just as the land was united, it remains necessary to join all Sri Lankans with the bonds of unity.
As we celebrate the gaining of Independence, today, we recognize our bounden duty to give all honour and respect to the members of the Security Forces who made great sacrifices to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity in the battle against terrorism.
Similarly, we must also remember with due honour and respect those from all ethnicities, religions and ideologies who participated with militancy and gave leadership in the long struggle for freedom from colonial rule.
Our government that gives the highest priority to national security, is keenly interested in going beyond the prevailing policies and programmes in this regard, to make a comprehensive study of all aspects of national security and work on proposals and directions to bring about a truly sustainable policy in this important aspect of governance.
This Independence Commemoration is also an opportunity for us to make a careful analysis of decisions taken by us in the nearly seven decades that have gone by since independence was won. We were unable to fully enjoy the fruits of freedom because, under the neo-colonial economic pattern that prevailed as the vestige of colonialism, where disputes among the haves and have-nots grew sharper, while those who lived below the poverty line grew larger, and consequently ethnic disputes and inequalities emerged. Therefore, it is now the time to move away from the mutual heaping of blame on each other, and instead, in the cause of humanity, respect one and other for the progress of the nation.
This is the time for all our people – whether Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher or Moor – to come together with the singular aim of patriotic progress. This is the moment for Sri Lanka to make a commitment to rise with the courage and strength of unity. This is very much the time for the growing and extension of affection, discarding all differences, and move forward with determination as the children of one mother, as so well described in the words of our National Anthem.
The first and principle challenge before us today is that of making our freedom more meaningful,
by ensuring the necessary changes required in the political, economic, social and cultural norms that prevail in our country. In keeping with the mandate given by the people for a clear and definite change, at a time when political violence had raised its head and there was absence of the Rule of Law, what is essential for us today is politics and governance that will ensure co-existence and reconciliation towards national understanding to build a humanitarian society.
On this historic occasion, I once again extend a respectful invitation to all political parties represented in Parliament, to join us in establishing an All Party National Government, to carry on the task of ensuring freedom and democracy, with good governance strengthened by strong ethics, encouraging the growth of spiritual values, and eliminating poverty from our midst.
The aim of our government is the building of the widest friendships internationally that recognizes and respects our individuality as a nation. It remains our policy, in keeping with the principles of Non-Alignment to, extend friendship to all nations, and strengthen friendship and cooperation with international organizations to achieve greater mutual understanding. It is the expectation of our Government to obtain the assistance of friendly nations and international organizations to advance the development of our Motherland and assure the future success of our people.
We understand that our people will be able to achieve the full benefits of freedom only after their living standards are raised to a level of satisfaction. It is essential to take speedy steps to eradicate poverty because, as long as any segment of our society suffers in poverty, it is not in keeping with our conscience to make loud boasts about freedom. The highest priority of this government is to bring down the current level of poverty that stands at 6.7% within the shortest possible period.
As a country with a largely agricultural economy we can ensure sustainable development by strengthening this agro-based economy. Our Government is committed to raise national agricultural standards by providing scientific knowledge from the advances in the new technological world, the use of new products and innovations to further advance agriculture, and through our inherent traditions of progress take our national economy to greater heights of success and modernity. Similarly, the government is also determined to introduce wide and suitable industrialization through encouragement and incentives for local and foreign investment in industry, most suitable to our needs and resources.
The recent Presidential Election made it clear that the people of our country, who follow different religions and speak different languages, accept the need for a new Constitution that is relevant to our needs. Accordingly, our government remains committed to abide by the pledges given to secure the Rule of Law, establish an electoral system that would more democratically reflect the people’s representation, and ensure greater transparency in administration, the judiciary, and police service through re-establishing the necessary Constitutional Commissions.
Our Government is also taking action to build a society that respects ethical principles, and takes all necessary steps to completely eradicate the massive corruption, fraud and wrongful action in development projects, and thus make the freedom of our country and people truly meaningful. I wish to emphasize that it has been possible to move forward with determination to achieve the above objectives because of the mandate given to me by the people of our country in the recent Presidential election .
On this commemoration of independence, let us make a joint commitment to provide a truly good, ethical, virtuous, wise and fair service to all, living in brotherhood and reconciliation, and thus raise our country and State to one that is second to none other in this world.
It is our national duty to etch in the minds of our children the pride we have in the freedom we have won. Apart from the great literary writers I mentioned earlier, thinking of our children I now recall the words with which the Tibetan monk S Mahinda Thera instilled the feelings of patriotism among our people directing his words at our children.
As he said it:
“The nation is a golden mansion
Religion is a glowing gem
You alone, dear son
Will live up to protect it”
May you be blessed by the Noble Tripple Gem.
