Independence mEssages

All communities should unite

Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter

The possibility of commemoration of 61st anniversary of National Independence Day is a special event at a time we have reached the turning point of liberation of the motherland from the brutal terrorists. At this juncture the world is making enormous endeavour towards the total eradication of terrorism. It’s apparent that the anticipation of liberating the country from the brutal terrorists is being fulfilled gradually as a result of fighting of war heroes at the risk of their lives in the battlefield under the guidance of defence policies of the present Government.

No doubt that it will give rise to escalation of terrorists activities repeatedly even after the eradication of terrorism if various communities indulge in diverse activities with narrow-mindedness of political, religious gains and on the basis of social concepts.

If the triumph achieved in the battlefield is to be made meaningful, in the present we should act as Sri Lankans fraternally and with firm hope irrespective of racial, religion, caste and political differences while practising non-violence and developing compassion and benevolent thoughts. The politicians as well as religious dignitaries representing various religious and intellectual elites should play the key role in this endeavour.

In commemoration of 61st anniversary of National Independence Day we should be determined to stand as a one nation of Sri Lankans by throwing away narrow religious caste and political differences and without being deceived by other religious sects resorting to unscrupulous subterfuges for the propaganda of religions and modus operandi of politicians in the south for the sake of their power craving to bring about social dissension.

It’s imperative that all communities should unite and be sentimental for the protection of motherland for the purpose of making our independence meaningful.

May we have blessing of the Sacred Tooth Relic to build up a secure country with commemoration 61st Independence Day anniversary.

Rise as a united country

Ven. Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabhidana Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter

Sri Lanka which existed as an independent country from the periods of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which bestowed upon our country unique heritages of prosperity and culture claiming a proud history throughout a long period had been under the domination of Portuguese, Dutch and British for a period of 443 years since 1505 A.D. During this epoch we were engaged in numerous struggles for the independence of our motherland as a nation.

All our national heroes who lived in the recent past were intrepid leaders who shouldered the struggle for our independence. As a result of the concerted effort made by all communities Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher irrespective of their racial differences were able to gain independence ultimately on 04th February 1948, liberating from the British rule. On this day when it completes 61 years subsequent to the achievement of supreme independence we have multitude of challenges before us.

We enriched ourselves with noble values of Buddhism such as significance of non-violence, value of peace, quality of forbearance and benevolence and we were able to win the independence in non-violent and peaceful manner.

But flames of separatism began to engulf before long because of misfortune of the nation. Today it has turned into a war fighting for a separate state. This has resulted in destruction of multitude of lives and properties and impediments of the development of the country. Deep rooted noble values in the society such as non-violence, benevolence have been buried and violence, hatred and anger have spread instead. However, it is observed that the power of separatist terrorism is likely to end.

Therefore, it has been the responsibility of all of us to take steps to rise as a united country protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity to re-build the grandeur and proud image of Sri Lanka by overcoming disharmony and dissensions which have developed among us. On this day when we commemorate the 61st independence day in Sri Lanka let us determine to maintain it as an ever lasting and meaningful independence and build a just, prosperous and united Sri Lanka which protects the rights of all communities living in this country.

‘Country first’ in our minds

Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya

Today, 61st year subsequent to the achievement of Independence is a decisive year for the entire nation of Sri Lanka. We live in an era which immensely requires peace and harmony in a period which has reached escalation of dissension and disharmony among ethnic groups who had once lived in peace. Such disharmony which has severely affected the development process of our country for a period of 61 years has focused extremely adverse impacts on our progress. Loss of wealth and lives, destruction as well as under development compared to those of other nations and countries cannot be tolerated further. There should be a country and people even for winning a battle. As a matter of fact, no one is a winner in a battle. Naturally all are defeated in a war. His Excellency the President of our country who endeavours to serve the nation with a future vision actually needs to witness the establishment of a society where peace and happiness prevail. We all can see his dedication and sacrifice in order to achieve such goal.

In this instance all Sri Lankans should think of the country and line up to eradicate the prevailing atmosphere of unrest. Despite the political opinions, we should act with the attitude of “country first” in our minds. With whom we fight, they all are our countrymen and brothers. Every issue has a solution. The same has been taught in Buddhism. As Buddhists, we do not have any issue without solution. What is required is collectiveness and collaboration. If peace and harmony dawned in Sri Lanka by finding solutions to all problems during this new year, Sri Lanka will be an oasis to our children in the near future. If not so, our country will go down in history as another country where uncivilized, uncultured people live.

May you all have blessing of the Triple Gem!

Consensus of all communities

Agga Maha Pandith a Grantha Visharada Rajakeeya Panditha Dauldena Gnanissara Supreme Mahanayaka Thera of Sri Lanka Amarapura Chapter

People of Sri Lanka disciplined by the Sinhalese Buddhist culture which established itself with the arrival of King Vijaya and Arahath Mahinda, lived in this country from time immemorial with mutual friendship, co-operation and respect. This co-existence resulted in the development of every aspect of the life of people. Whatever the difficulty they had to face they had the strength to face them courageously. However, after this country was engulfed by the powers of dictators. Our integrity as well as patriotism was destroyed kindling the wrath of fire in our hearts. That was the time when dictators by imposing rigid legislations spread their sovereignly over our forefathers and converted them to be their toys, positively to achieve their selfish aspirations.

At various times in the history our forefathers with the support of other communities waged a losing battle against the dictators. Buddhists along with non-Buddhists dedicated themselves for the cause of the country with the firm intention of ensuring free and independent land for our progeny.

As we made representations to imperialist big-heads against the misdeeds of colonial administration we did achieve independence in 1948. However, we have to look back and see for ourselves how meaningful this independence had been during this sixty one years. Even at this moment is there a unity among the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and Malay communities who live in this country? Ironically, the word ‘peace’ is inscribed in books and on stones but it is not so in the minds of people. In such situation can we sincerely hope for a free and independent country.

The gangrene of power hunger has bred disunity, misunderstanding and distrust throughout the country. If we want to bring freedom and independence to this country once again we must be determined, as our responsibility to commemorate this 61st Independence Day through the consensus of all communities shedding whatever disharmony existing among them.

The horrendous terrorism which existed over three decades wrought enormous destructions to the country. Can we truly assess the destruction caused to the lives and physical resources? On the eve of this 61st Independence when there is a ray of light for peace, uprooting terrorism let us join hand in hand to build an independent land in which all communities could journey from Jaffna to Devinuwara in peace and with mind at rest.

May triple gem bless upon you!

Meaningful era has dawned

Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Minister of Home Affairs

In the first instance I would like to pay my great respect for all the patriotic leaders, who dedicated their lives and Sri Lankan social forces, which provided courage in the achievement of independence breaking up imperialist iron chain.

Influence made by all communities of Sri Lanka against the imperialism through national unity for the achievement of independence has been a decisive factor to gain victory in the independence struggle in 1948. It has proved that the national unity is a strong force that can challenge any force of imperialism and face any challenge.

Separatism, which is an outcome of inequal development carried out by the leaders who ruled the country for a number of decades after independence, breaching the confidence among communities has made a great influence on the human resources as well as the economic progress of the country. Our society has inherited an experience of a tragic story beginning from a bullet and extended over claymore upto suicide bomb.

Humanitarian operations launched by the present President and the Government for the eradication of terrorism, have reached a turning point while gaining successful victories in the peace process. I consider it as a fortune to congratulate for 61st independence commemoration even though we gained independence from the colonialism, separatist mentality, developed among the communities of Sri Lanka who united fight for the independence struggle, implanted in the society in the form of terrorism and it has paved the way for all communities to undergo unbearable hardships.

All communities looking forward to national harmony and progress of this country celebrate 61st Independence Day with great pleasure. On the occasion His Excellency the President is ready to gift a respectable political solution package to establish a society where every citizen can live happily.

An era for meaningful independence has dawned on this occasion, on which victories have been achieved for sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as economic progress and economic strategies, which change the inequal development under the leadership of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Although we have achieved independence from the colonialism, present Government which identified correctly social distortions created as a result of failure to gain economic independence is engaged in national development process from Point Pedro to Dondra Head and from Western coast to Eastern coast.

That process is committed to achieve a satisfactory human independence for all communities eliminating economic discrepancy.

Patriots, usher in freedom

National Freedom Front President Wimal Weerawansa MP

When Sri Lanka obtained Independence on February 4, 1948 the situation in the country was unsatisfactory because British Colonial rulers had created divisions among its peoples on the lines of langauge.

Short sighted decisions taken by certain rulers since independence further damaged national unity and by the end of the 1970 the whole country was under the influence of separatist terrorism.

Today our heroic forces have been able to defeat cruel LTTE terrorists totally and we are celebrating 61st Independence Day at a Golden moment in our history as never before. This is a moment when we can unite as a nation to win economic, political, social and cultural freedom which had so far eluded us and we should rally round to achieve them objectively.

We should also commemorate with gratitude all past heroes who laid down their lives for the course of freedom in the 1818 and 1848 rebellions against British Colonialism as well as later day patriots in social, economic, political and other fields who dedicated themselves for the cause of freedom.

We have an unconcluded national freedom struggle before us and we call upon all patriotic sons and daughters of Sri Lanka to come forward to help make it a reality.

Effort for national integration

The anniversary of our National Independence is being celebrated at a time when we have reached a decisive moment in our history. While we claim victory over the militancy of the separatist LTTE there is the incessant plea of the moderate segments of the population that victory in battle is not victory in war. Victory in war has to be achieved through a political solution that is acceptable to the larger majority of our people on both sides of the divide. It has to assure that all of us as citizens of this country are equal, all are free to live and pursue their full measure of happiness irrespective of race, religion, caste, wealth or political affiliation, said in a message.

It is also the hope of all our fair-minded people that the time has come to restore the rule of law in our country. Both in the North and the South people should feel free and be able to exercise the freedom that is their birthright. Therefore, while we condemn the dastardly acts of violence against individuals, whether they are political leaders, media personnel, the prosperous or political rivals, we strongly appeal that criminals should be dealt with without fear or favour and the freedom of every person should be assured.

While this is a process that should be immediately initiated we have to be mindful of the large number of people in the North and the East who have been battered in the war. There are thousands who are still displaced and living in sub human conditions. Now that almost all the occupied areas have been liberated it is imperative that their living conditions be restored at the earliest. While the difficulty remains to identify the innocent citizen from the militant, that should not remain an excuse to harass innocent people and deprive them of their fundamental rights. It must be remembered that these too are citizens of our country. If we want to keep Sri Lanka an undivided land we must ensure that everyone who is a citizen of this country enjoys equally the rights he or she is entitled to irrespective of all the differences we have imposed on ourselves to foster and protect our narrow sectarian interests.

May God bless our beloved country. May He bring us Peace!

Unity for prosperity

Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwe, President - All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

On this occasion of celebrating the 61st Independence Day of Sri Lanka, we honour those who struggled to achieve this victory and pray Almighty Allah for a brighter future of united Sri Lankans respecting the solidarity of every community.

It is remarkable that a significant group of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians united together as Sri Lankans to achieve such victory.

All patriotic politicians, diplomats, theologians and scholars of various professions should join hands together and work hard to bring peace into every house eliminating poverty from Sri Lanka. We need sincere unity for our prosperity. No Sri Lankan should be left behind.

We are Sri Lankans. We are a family. Let’s inculcate the attitude of brotherhood and pray for a flourishing Sri Lanka.

Blessings on nation

Swami Sarvarupananda, Vice President Ramakrishna Mission

I am glad to note that the 61st Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will be celebrated on February 4, 2009. On this happy occasion I convey my greetings and best wishes to all the brethren in the country. Along with my best wishes, I pray lord to shower his choicest blessings on the nation at large, His Excellency The President, his ministerial staff and all the citizens of Sri Lanka.

The country got its independence due to the sacrifice, hard work and dedication of our forefathers. On this day let us remember all of them who visualize the bright future of Sri Lanka, with gratitude and rededicate and pledge our life, to work on the ideal and aspirations of them to the reality.

I hope and pray, by the all-round development at physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual of every individual, we will be able to live in peace, happiness and prosperity in every field is my sincere prayer to the lord.

Bolster country’s economy

Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs

Today we are celebrating a National Independence Day marking a remarkable period in the history of Sri Lanka. Our history testifies that our national heroes, various political leaders, venerable prelates, our war heroes and the patriotic nation loving, religiously devout general public have made innumerable sacrifices for the achievement of freedom and making it more meaningful, said in a message.

The Sinhalese people were deprived of their independence by British imperialists in the bred city of Kandy in 1815 A.D. and since then they have endeavoured to maintain the mentality of dependence in the mind of our people. They have schemingly planned to make this country known as ‘Dhamma Island’ and oasis of colonialism. It is essential to gain victory over that has engulfed the world in recent past reflects the necessity to bolster the country’s economy.

Prayer of unity

In the best Christian tradition, prayer is a call to a new way of life. Our beloved Nation is today in critical need of prayer and a new way of life that leads to unity. My message to the Nation on the 61st Anniversary of our Independence is in the form of a Prayer for Unity.

God, the source of all life,

Who has made Lanka a Nation of diverse people,

with manifold gifts, and converging histories;

grant that,

The fear in one, will harness the protection of all,

The grievance of one, will challenge the conscience of all,

The poverty of one, will provoke justice in all,

The intimidation of one, will instil courage in all,

The vulnerability of one, will ensure accountability in all,

The displacement of one, will inspire the solidarity of all,

The silencing of one, will awaken the voice of all,

The corruption of one, will test the integrity of all,

The hatred in one, will receive the healing of all,

The mistakes of one, will generate the forgiveness of all.

Grant also that;

The presence of one, will reassure all,

The efforts of one, will benefit all,

The identity of one, will complete the identity of all,

The traditions of one, will enrich all,

The spirituality of one, will nourish the values of all,

The beliefs of one, will liberate all,

The prayers of one, will bless all,

And that the aspirations of one, will include the destiny of all,

made perfect under Your harmonious reign,

of justice, reconciliation and peace,

Through Him who promised abundant life to one and all,

even Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

With Peace and Blessings to all.