Freedom is responsibility
Address by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the
62nd Anniversary of National Independence celebrations in Kandy
yesterday.
Today we celebrate the anniversary of Independence after the
liberation of the entire country from terrorist threat for the first
time in 30 years. I am proud to proclaim that we are in a position to
raise the flag of Sri Lanka with dignity in the entire country.
In 1815, Variyapola Sumangala Thera hoisted our flag on this historic
land after lowering the Union Jack. I wish to pay my respect to the
venerable monks as well as the revered clergy of all religions for their
dedication and commitment displayed to preserve this freedom.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa hoisting the national flag at
National Independence day celebrations held in Kandy
yesterday. Picture by Kamal Jayamanne |
When I unfurled the national flag today, I remembered those heroic
soldiers who sacrificed their lives and limbs for the freedom of the
country and all those who worked with dedication for the liberation
struggle.
Presidential election
Freedom is a responsibility. The people of this country have
entrusted me with that responsibility on January 26 by a larger majority
than in the 2005 Presidential election. I would like to assure you that
I will fulfill that trust placed upon me.
Accordingly, it was demonstrated to the world that for us the
Motherland is first, second and third. Thus, we have become richer with
the supreme human quality of gratitude. It is my fortune to fight along
side people with such great qualities to preserve the freedom of our
nation. It is indeed a privilege to live in a country with such
intelligent people. I am fortunate to be the leader of a country of
fathers, mothers and children who know the value of gratitude.
I have succeeded in uniting the territory. Now, I am entrusted with
the task of uniting the hearts of all sections of our people. I
willingly take over the noble task of creating peace among our
communities.
The first Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake stated on the
occasion of the first Independence Day that the meaning of freedom is to
curtail sorrows and enhance happiness. That is the desire of the people
when a country attains independence. I would like to point out that the
past four years was the most meaningful era of freedom since we attained
independence.
Tourist destination
This is the time when the benefits of unifying the nation begin to
show results. Now that the war has ended, the nation is saving more than
the cost of the war. International research magazines recently reported
that Sri Lanka is among the 31 countries in the list of best tourist
destinations. Sri Lanka is second only to China among Asia’s fastest
growing economies. Sri Lanka is also listed among the best countries for
investment. We cordially invite investors here.
We were able to gain such achievements because infrastructure was
speedily built whilst the war was being waged. I will use this mandate
given by you to re-establish all that was lost for the past 30 years due
to the war.
Our country which fell back in progress because of the war needs to
be advanced swiftly. Peace alone is not enough. An efficient, advanced
nation needs to be built to replace a country which is lazy, lethargic
and lacks energy. It is meaningless to blame our nation for its
inefficiency whilst referring to the efficiency and progress of other
countries. We proved at the recent overwhelming victory that our people
could overtake them.
In the development of the country the private sector too has a
responsibility similar to that of the public sector. There is a better
environment for the private sector which was at a standstill during the
war. I expect a public service which can take quick decisions and which
is people-friendly. I will make the government service a service for the
public.
Nation-building process
You are aware that during the operation to defend the country, I
protected the heroes who fought for the country. I represented them
everywhere. And now in the nation-building process, I will protect the
honest and skilled people who work for the betterment of the country.
The country cannot be developed with harassment, gross punishments or by
the gun. Discipline is not revenge. The nation can only be built through
commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption.
In the Mahinda Chintana, we mentioned that Sri Lanka will be made a
centre of marine, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge. You may
feel that this target is very far. But we will bring the benefits of
these five great economic forces closer to your feet in the near future
in order to end the era of sorrow and tears. We will give more
opportunities to artistes, authors, musicians so that the yield of their
creativity would enhance the contentment of the society.
We will make this a country where people return to, instead of
leaving for fear of life or poverty. We need to remove the bureaucratic
hurdles on the path to economic development as we removed road barriers.
My people were at a standstill for thirty years because of terrorists.
Now this era is over. We will create a country where people can live at
ease. I implore the separatist forces and local and international
conspirators not to underestimate our Motherland and the people of this
nation.
We have brought massive development to the North and East regions as
never witnessed in history after removing their fear of death. Uthuru
Vasanthaya (Northern Spring) and Nagenahira Navodaya (Eastern Awakening)
are some of the major development projects in the country.
The people of the North and East suffered for thirty years without
their democratic rights. I was able to grant them democracy. That is the
greatest victory we have achieved.
We do not strengthen the parties based on divisive politics on the
basis of colour or tribe, pro-LTTE or separatist.
I am certain that the people in the North and East could stand on
their own feet through a solution wrought by devolving powers to the
villages and empowering them in the entire country.
In accordance with Mahinda Chintana: Vision Ahead, I believe that
discussions should be held with the people and their representatives of
those areas to find solutions and take action as necessary.
(In Tamil)
Today is our Independence Day. It is a very happy day for all of us.
Thirty years of terrorism is now over. We are celebrating our
independence in such an atmosphere for the first time. Now all of you
can live in consolation without fear or doubt.
Anyone can go anywhere freely. That is very important. This is our
Motherland. All of us are children of one mother. All of us are kings
today. We all should live together as brothers with equal rights and
with dignity. Let us discuss our issues among ourselves and resolve
them. Everyone will receive all facilities in equal manner. That is
called equality and equal rights.
Mother Lanka
One country, one people, one law. That is our way, the only way.
Thus, there is no racism, separatism or terrorism. Never forget the
Motherland; never betray it. We consider no one in our country as a
minority person. All those who love the country are children of Mother
Lanka.
Our Motherland is emerging as a hub of development. Democracy should
be protected forever.
Recently, the people of Northern and Eastern provinces too were able
to vote democratically. I am very pleased about it. Politicians should
not mislead the innocent people.
Hereafter, we will not entertain narrow divisions based on race,
religion, language and political ideology in terms of regions. Never
leave room for the politics of hate. Peace, brotherhood, co-existence
and prosperity — that is our prime objective.
Let us join together. Let us build this country for the sake of our
future generations.
(end of Tamil text)
You all are aware that our foreign policy is independent and
non-aligned. It is no secret that we have maintained close friendly
relationships with our neighbours such as India, China, Japan and
others. We also maintain close affinity with Africa, the West, the
Middle East and the European countries.
In my foreign policy, whatever I have done was in the interest of the
people of this country. Now the world should have a correct opinion
about us. The Tiger terrorism that impacted on other countries too has
ended. The state of war is now over. We are entering into a new era of
co-existence after finishing the period of some controversy. I would
like to say that we are now entering the golden era of international
relations.
Country’s welfare
I never thought of gaining political mileage and take decisions that
betrayed the nation. I will never betray the country. The decisions I
took from the time when I decided to defeat terrorism, were taken while
thinking of the country’s welfare. I did not think of political power
when I took decisions. I did not take decisions to implement major
projects; the Norochcholai coal power station and Upper Kotmale
hydro-electric project to obtain foreign assistance to stay in power. I
have done this for the development of the country. I have done this
because those are essential for the country. We will not surrender even
an inch of territory from our Motherland. As I have always said, we will
not take even a single step backwards to stay in power. On the other
hand, we will go forward many steps under any difficult conditions in
the interest of the nation.
My feet were worn out by walking in long marches with my people. I
have sweated in the fight for the rights of the working class. My voice
was trained and tuned to rise up against injustice. I spent my free time
listening to the grievances of the common people. The only time I could
not listen to the problems of the common people was when I was
imprisoned for fighting for the democratic rights of the people. Our
house has become a home for the common people. Today, the luxurious
carpets at the Temple Trees affectionately receive the feet of common
people.
Historic place
I did not ask you to crown me. However, please remember that I have
placed the crown of freedom, prosperity and heroism on the heads of you
and your children.
I have understood the fatherly love and affection of your sons and
daughters for me. The affection of the sons and daughters of this
country was an enormous blessing for me.
It was on this historic place that Veera Keppetipola sacrificed his
life without any fear, for the freedom of the nation. I believe that the
leaders who ruled this nation should have a heart which will not betray
the country similar to that of Veera Keppetipola.
Now I am addressing you from the place where the child hero, Madduma
Bandara, son of Keppetipola’s sister, sacrificed his life without
display of any fear. Please remember that the hearts of your sons and
daughters too are filled with unlimited love for the Motherland similar
to that of Madduma Bandara. Your sons and daughters have unlimited love
for me for the same reason.
I feel I am the world’s luckiest leader of State to earn the love and
affection of such a heroic and talented generation of children.
Please protect your child who grows up with love for the country. We
have to build a society where your sons and daughters could live with
knowledge and good values. It is for our children that we build this
nation to be the Pride of Asia.
I wish you a prosperous future!
May the Triple Gem bless you and the blessings of the Sacred Tooth
Relic be with you! |