Address by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the 60th
anniversary of Independence, at Galle Face, Colombo On February 04, 2008
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Picture courtesy: Samararathne Kodikara Ishara
Ven. Maha Sangha, Members of the Clergy of other religions, Hon. Prime
Minister , Hon. Speaker,
Hon. Chief Justice and Members of Judiciary, Hon. Ministers and Members
of Parliament,
Governors, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Secretary to the President
and all Officers of State,
The Chief of Defence Staff and Commanders of the Armed Forces and the
Inspector General of Police,
Mothers, Fathers and Dear Children,
My friends who join me in celebrating the 60th anniversary of
Independence.
On this historic day we witness the proud commemoration of the 60th
anniversary of freedom of a great nation. I say with gratitude that we
achieved this dignity and greatness as the Sri Lankan nation, not only
through the sacrifices of today's heroes, but also due to the immense
sacrifices of our forefathers throughout history. Let us make this the
op****tunity to first bow our heads in salutation to all those who
sacrificed their blood and sweat for the country.
Friends,
I believe freedom is something that has to be made meaningful day by
day. We have now arrived at an era where we have decisively dedicated
ourselves to enrich the substance of freedom.
As I see it, among im****tant measures that should be taken to enrich
freedom are the defeat of terrorism, development of the country, and
consolidating trust among all peoples.
Just as every drop of water released from the Mavil Aru anicut since its
liberation, every plant we grow and nurture in our villages under the
theme "Let us grow to build the country" is a gigantic step to nurture
the country's independence and freedom.
During the last two years we have as a nation brought forth a very
im****tant and decisive factor to enrich the substance of freedom. It is
an indicator that has so far never been used to measure a country's
well-being or development. Just as the oil reserves that would be
harnessed in the future from the sea off Mannar, and the electricity
that would be generated from the Norochcholai and Upper Kotmale power
projects, this indicator will have great im****t for Sri Lanka in the
future.
This is none other than the patriotism, and love for the country that
has emerged among our people today.
Our challenge today is to be true to the nation and maintain this
patriotic fervor of our people, without letting it to be subjugated by
political party differences, and political interests.
The competition among us should not be among the parties to which we
give leader****p. Our struggle should not be between the Sinhala, Tamil
or Muslim communities. Our disagreements should not be among Buddhism,
Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Friends, our struggle should be
between the past and the future; between what is wrong, and what is
correct; between hate and Maitriya (Loving Kindness).
Friends, the Sri Lankan nation had to live with fearsome experiences of
the terrible tragedy and cancer of terrorism for three of the six
decades since independence. Infinite are the loss of lives, property and
op****tunities due to it. However, I am convinced that we can restore the
lost op****tunities for progress instead of lamenting and sighing,
heaping blame on politicians and the motherland, while looking at and
envying the progress made by other countries. I consider such behaviour
as both treachery and a betrayal of the country.
Is there any meaning in comparing pre-independence Singa****e, or the
previous condition of any other country with our present status? We must
as a nation stop regurgitating outdated thinking that is harmful to the
well being of the nation.
The challenge bestowed to us by history is the defeat of terrorism and
the development of the country. You are aware of how most governments
that accepted this challenge, later handed it over to its successor, as
a heavy and unbearable burden.
Friends, during the last two years, however, we faced this challenge
squarely without avoiding it. Our security forces are today achieving
victories against terrorism unprecedented in history. Terrorism is
receiving an unprecedented defeat.
In less than two years we have liberated the large Eastern Province that
was under the clutches of the terrorists and confined them to two
districts, only. It will not be wrong to say they are confined to
one-and-a-half districts. But Friends, this cannot be a victory of the
southern people alone.
When this becomes a victory of the people in the south, we must make it
an even greater victory for people in the north. When the people of the
south are relieved by the defeat of terrorism, the people of the north
have cause for even greater relief.
We are already taking steps to enable the people in the Eastern Province
liberated from terrorism, to enjoy their democratic rights. We are
expeditiously holding elections that will ensure to people hitherto
subdued in silence, the exercise of their democratic right to elect
one's own representatives.
We are also rapidly developing these areas that were subject to the
extortion and ransom demands of terrorists.
You know that the rate of development of the Eastern Province is faster
than the rate of fall of terrorist bastions today. The provision of
electricity, water, housing, schools and roads is being accelerated. We
want the people of the North and East to be victorious.
It is the same with the political solution.
You know that we did not win independence for the benefit of one
community alone. The Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and
all participated in the freedom struggle. None of us wanted freedom for
a divided country. We all wanted freedom for a single country.
From the time of Handy Perinpanayagam, leader of the Jaffna Youth
League who first called for full independence for Sri Lanka, to the time
of Dr. T. B. Jayah, and Ponnambalam Ramanathan, whose statue stands at
the Presidential Secretariat premises today; all our people were in the
freedom struggle. The problem today is that there is no space for the
emergence of such heroes. If there were such heroes who fought for the
independence of a single country, they would have fallen victim to LTTE
guns. Therefore, we will liberate the North from the clutches of
terrorism and also provide a political solution and bring political
freedom to the people there.
It is only if we act in this manner that we will we once again see the
emergence of leaders from the North and the East like those heroes who
participated in the freedom struggle. This commitment of ours is to go
forward as a single, unitary state.
Friends, our solution must be based on what could be implemented in this
country. We cannot offer solutions that are experiments. We cannot
experiment with solutions when so much blood has been shed and tens of
thousands of lives have been lost. That is why we selected a solution
which can be implemented and about which we have experience. This
practical solution is to bring the provincial administration closer to
the people within the framework of our Constitution.
Friends, we also have a fine op****tunity in this instance, to provide an
example to the world.
As a policy we do not have cosmetic and shallow associations with the
western countries. Our relations with them are true and real.
We have established new relations with our neighboring states, Arab
states, and Buddhist states. Our neighboring states trust us. Our
problems and issues are also problems and issues of our neighboring
states.
The confidence placed in us by the international community has not
diminished one iota.
Whatever is said by those people who make a show of their international
connections, there has been no reduction whatever in the aid received by
us. We have been able to obtain and use aid that is beneficial to the
development of the country. The civilized world today, accepts that Sri
Lanka is putting one full- stop to world terrorism.
The defeat of the most ruthless terrorists of the world in Sri Lanka is
also a victory of the developed world, which too is a victim of
terrorism. We are also fully committed to carry on this battle while
safeguarding Human Rights. This is the reality.
Friends, you know that every government had to forget their election
pledges even before the expiry of one year in office.
This is because either those policies did not suit the reality of the
country, or else they were not bold enough to implement them, however
great the sup****t they received from the people. Or else, there was no
commitment.
You know that we have implemented to the letter the policies contained
in the election manifesto approved by the people at the last
Presidential Election. All believed that the stopping of alcohol and
drug abuse, the non-issuance of new liquor bar licenses and the
prohibition of smoking in public places would be controversial and
cannot be implemented. It was also believed by many that it was a law of
world economics that the economy could not be maintained without
divesting owner****p of state enterprises. There was also the belief that
identifying as terrorists, those who kill the Sinhala people by the
thousands, would lead to dangerous consequences. In short, two years
ago, no one believed that terrorists could be defeated. But, during the
last two years we made it a reality in our motherland.
We have not abandoned the Mahinda Chinthana that was endorsed by the
people. We shall not abandon it. Therefore, we say that we shall
continue to defend the majority opinion of the people of this country.
During the last two years, we were able to solve many chronic issues
that were postponed as being irresolvable. We need not stress that the
resolution of these issues was related to the country's independence.
Strengthening health, education and the national economy shows the way
forward to a better future and an independent country.
Today, the whole country knows that the village exists and is awakening.
Factories once closed, such as Thulhiriya have been re-opened. CTB buses
are back on the roads with the Lion logo. The CWE and the cooperative
movement are being revived. Good roads as in the western countries have
now being laid even to remote villages, under "Maga Neguma". Thousands
of new houses have been built in the plantations. Potable water projects
could be seen in most villages. For the first time since colonial times,
we have now begun the construction of an international air****t and
harbour. Fly-overs and hundreds of bridges and roads are being built.
All these bridges are built by Sri Lankan engineers. Earlier, foreign
experts were given contracts to oversee construction of our dams; in a
country that was famous for its irrigation and reservoir construction.
Now, our own Sri Lankan engineers are constructing huge reservoirs at
Moragahakanda, Deduru Oya, and Weheragala.
We are building a country where the farmer could smile as he reaps the
harvest from his cinnamon, betel, maize and rice cultivations. Venerable
Sirs, when our people construct their own roads and reservoirs, when
they receive a good price for their crops, when they consume their own
food, they begin to feel that they are not strangers in one's own land.
We have given our nation every op****tunity to link with the
technologically developed world. We have been able to raise computer
literacy in the country to 25% without trumpeting about it, in a country
that did not attach much im****tance to it. During the last two years we
have recorded the highest economic growth of 7 per cent after 30 years.
What is essential is to carry these achievements forward. We shall do so
as a country that is not subjugated or frightened and open to
exploitation or extortion. We shall do safeguarding our national
identity and independence. Whatever difficulties we encounter we shall
not betray our motherland.
We know that our people, as those in other countries, face the burdens
of a high cost of living due to world food shortages and the rise in oil
prices.
But as the Head of State who has ensured a difficult victory in our
motherland, I say that these difficulties are not permanent. I say with
responsibility that I will not allow them to be difficulties even in the
long-term. It must be said that short-term difficulties lead to long
term benefits and a life free of oppression.
Let us understand the hard****ps we face due to our efforts to raise our
country to a significant place in the world. We are ready to create a
country that will utilize to the maximum our ocean resources that are
several times the size of the land mass of our motherland.
I am ready to create a society that will utilize to the maximum the
resources of our country.
The task before us is to make maximum use of our natural resources in
our skies, our land, our beaches and the sea. We have the huge task of
making every inch of land productive and extract from nature all
resources needed for a free country. I am convinced that our Sri Lankan
nation has the strength to achieve this. Accordingly, our resolve will
take us to the creation of a truly free and independent nation in our
motherland.
I wish you all a happy and successful future.
May you be blessed by the Triple Gem!
--
For genuine Situation Re****t visit:
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk
http://www.defence.lk/
http://www.army.lk/index1.php
http://www.nmatnet.com/
http://www.sinhalaya.info/index-EN.php
Worth to look following to see how brutal Tamil Tiger Terrorists are
Child Soldiers of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka
http://www.spur.asn.au/childwar.htm
Ethnic Cleansing in Sri Lanka
http://www.spur.asn.au/ethnic_cleansing_in_sri_lanka.htm
LTTE TAMIL TIGER ATROCITIES
http://www.spur.asn.au/ltteatrp.htm
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