Different communities, one nation; rectify errors and forge ahead - Tissa Abeysekara

H.M. ABEYSINGHE, Kuliyapitiya group correspondent

PANNALA: We can't be satisfied with achievements during the last 59 years after independence when we look back. If we want to handover a good country to the future generation we will have to look back and rectify the errors we have committed in the past, said Film Director Tissa Abeysekara.

He was addressing the 59th independence commemoration ceremony held in Pannala Community Hall. This ceremony was organised by Pannala Divisional Secretariat, Pannala Pradeshiya Sabha and Pannala Divisional Bala Mandalaya and NYSC.

Tissa Abeysekara added, we had committed grave errors after independence, it is high time to identify such errors and where we went wrong at least after 59 years. Is not our future generation would be stranded.

He said, all the communities discarding differences contributed to win independence prior to 1948. However after independence those who faught unitedly were divided upholding communalism discarding nationalism.

That was the main cause for our failure after independence.

Abeysekara said, there may be different communities in the country, but there is only one nation. That is Sri Lankans, until such time the nationalism was up-held discarding communalism the whole nation would suffer.

He said, all the communities living in one country belong to a single nationality.

They are the inheritors of the long-Standing cultural heritage and civilisation of the same country. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and others living in Sri Lanka are Sri Lankans.

Whatever differences are found among these communities we must not forget that they all are the inheritors of our culture and civilization.

The Chairman Pannala Pradeshiya Sabha Ranjith Lansakara said, at the time we commemorate the national independence we must pay our respect and honour the heroes such as Keppetipola, Madugalle, Puran Appu, Gongalegoda Banda and a host of others who sacrificed their lives for the sake of gaining freedom from the British.

At the same time we should honour and felicitate the war heroes who fight valiantly to protect the territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Asst. Director NYSC, Kurunegala District H.M. Piyatileka and Pannala Divisional Secretary Ms. Deepani Fernando also spoke.