Be united as a single Nation - President
President Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon all people to be united as a
single Nation in an individual country, showing tolerance, trust and
understanding that have been the foundation of the Nation throughout its
glorious history.
The President in a message to mark the Independence Day, said: “It is
with an immense sense of pride that I send this message to mark the 61st
National Day celebrations of Sri Lanka.
This pride comes from the many achievements towards the strengthening
of our freedom gained in recent months since we launched a decisive
humanitarian operation to free our Motherland from the clutches of
terror.
Beginning with the success of the heroic troops of our free and
democratic society in clearing the terrorists from Mavil Aru in August
2006, and proceeding to the liberation of the entire East, we have now
regained control of almost all of our land in the North too, including
the entire Jaffna peninsula.
The strongholds of terror once believed to be invincible such as
Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass, and Mullaitivu, have fallen in rapid
succession, bringing the final elimination of terror from our Motherland
and the dawn of true freedom to all our people well within our reach.
I take this opportunity to pay this generous tribute to our heroic
Forces for the sacrifices they have made and the courage and
determination they have displayed, in ensuring that on this 61st
anniversary of Independence, we have moved beyond the threshold of a
freedom that is richer and more meaningful than what was achieved in
1948.
As we pay this well deserved tribute to our heroic Forces, we can be
satisfied that many who were once critical of our operations to
eradicate terror from our land are now citing Sri Lanka and the success
of our troops as an example on how terrorism should be defeated.
As we move towards a larger freedom, our thoughts go out to the
innocent Tamil people of the North who remain in bondage under the
ruthless forces of terror who claimed to be their liberators. I pledged
to you today, that these people, who share our Motherland, will be
liberated and given the equality and all rights that they are entitled
to, under the Constitution.
This is also the occasion to remember with honour all those Sri
Lankans from the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher and every other
community and faith in our country, who led the struggles and made many
sacrifices to obtain freedom from colonial domination and exploitation
that prevailed in our country for more than 500 years.
Those who fight against the pockets of terror remaining today
continue this great battle for freedom of our forefathers.
At this significant moment in the history of our country, I call upon
all of our peoples to be united as a single nation in an undivided
country, showing the tolerance, trust and understanding that have been
the foundation of our nation throughout its glorious history. Let no one
sow the seeds of hatred and mistrust anymore.
May all Sri Lankans achieve their aspirations for peace and equality
in full measures, and let us join to take our motherland to the great
era of a vibrant democracy and freedom from fear in the New Sri Lanka
that lies ahead.” |