Resolve to face all challenges with greater strength: President
RANIL Wijayapala in Peraliya, Hikkaduwa
THERE is no challenge that cannot be overcome by a Nation that has
awakened as one and there is no challenge that cannot be defeated by a
Nation that has joined ranks to achieve a single aim with total
commitment, President Mahinda Rajapakse said yesterday in his address to
the Nation as the country remembered the first anniversary of the
biggest tragedy in its history.
"There are many challenges that we Sri Lankans as a country and a
Nation have to overcome. We should resolve today to face all those
challenges with greater strength," President Rajapakse added.
In his address at the State function to remember the first
anniversary of the tsunami tragedy that hit the Nation on December 26,
from Peraliya, Hikkaduwa where thousands of lives perished in the 'train
of death,' President Rajapakse said it was on that basis he launched the
Jaya Lanka programme.
Jaya Lanka programme was launched to carry forward with new and
greater energy, the task of building homes and properties destroyed by
Tsunami," the President added.
He said the Jaya Lanka programme will be carried out under his
personal direction and supervision.
"I address you today standing on part of the ground that underwent
great tragedy in a devastation caused by nature. I believe that the
voices of those friends and relations snatched away from us will
continue to linger in the wind that blows towards us from the sea.
I believe there is a question, which I should ask myself and you from
yourselves. It is the question whether as a Nation we have been able to
do maximum justice by those who sacrificed their lives as victims of
that terrible tragedy?
Have we been able to take forward this effort unbroken towards the
progress of this country, the immense strength of our people that was
manifest together with that great tragedy?", the President asked.
"It is my belief that both you and I are unable to answer these
questions to our entire satisfaction," the President added.
President Rajapakse said in the same manner that the country accepted
the challenge directed at us by the sea that surrounds the country one
year ago, it is necessary that country is ready and prepared to face any
challenge, in an even stronger manner and successfully overcome them.
"There is little that can be done by those who continue to only weep
in their sorrow or hide through cowardice. Those who face any challenge
with self-confidence and preparedness can always be the victors. This is
my firm resolve and call upon all of you to make this your own resolve
too," President Rajapakse said. |