Lanka marks Independence with pomp and pageantry
Dharma Sri Abeyratne Rasika Somarathna and Nimal
Wijesinghe in Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka celebrated the 64th anniversary of gaining independence
from British colonial rule in 1948 with pomp and pageantry in the sacred
and ancient city of Anuradhapura, under the patronage of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday.
The day’s events not only symbolized the freedom gained from the
administrative, economic and social bindings of the former British
colonizers, but also the hopes and aspirations of a nation that enjoys
peace and prosperity after ending nearly a three decade long scourge of
terrorism.
The event evoked memories of the past, and remembered those who
strove and fought for the freedom that the country now enjoys. The
celebration which included a grand parade from the Security forces and
Police personnel, cultural troupes and the President’s address to the
nation, carried the message that Sri Lanka achieved independence not
through division, but rather by uniting as one. The events demonstrated
that it was this unity in diversity that the country celebrates on
February 4, with a truly Sri Lankan identity.
The President launched the Independence Day celebrations with the
hoisting of the National Flag at 8:50am. Two minutes silence followed in
remembrance of the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in
defending the motherland.
A grand march-past with the participation of 1,400 Army personnel,
250 Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force personnel and Civil Defence
Task Force personnel and Police personnel each and 200 cadres from the
youth brigade was held followed by a cultural parade consisting
traditional dancers from all provinces. The colourful cultural parade
included 46 cultural troupes representing all ethnic groups. The
performances were inline with the history of the nation symbolizing the
culture and heritage that runs into centuries. The holding of the
Independence Day celebration once again out of Colombo, in the former
Kingdom of Anuradhapura, also symbolised the government’s intentions of
achieving true equity in all sectors and all areas.
The President in his address to the nation also emphasised that “we
have to give the rural people who comprises 80 percent of our population
the results of giant development works we have initiated in the country.
It is not only an expectation but also a challenge which we are ready to
take up.”
Emphasising on making the country a knowledge hub, enhancing economic
development and strengthening unity, he said: “We would be able to
utilize the giant development works built by us for national development
only if we can bring up a citizen equipped with modern, scientific,
technical and language skills and who could be on par with anybody else
in the world.
“We would be able to exist as an independent and sovereign state only
if we strengthen our economy. We have to get together and work just as
we got together and worked with dedication to defeat terrorism.”
He also noted that the country was engaged in the task of creating a
stable peace and national unity after liberating the country from
terrorism and added that this was not a task confined to one individual
or a party.
He also pointed out that yet conspiracies and propaganda of
terrorists based overseas have not abated. He added: “When such things
happen abroad, some people here do various things to destabilize the
Motherland. They expect to achieve in Sri Lanka certain results that
happened in some countries. Both these groups are one. Fuel and
nutrition for this struggle in Sri Lanka are received from separatism
active in foreign lands.”
While stressing that the progress of Sri Lanka was the responsibility
of all, the President said that what was required today was the
formulation of policies based on a vision that is commonly applicable to
the whole country. Stressing on unity he said: “Ethnic communities have
no separate regions. The entire country belongs to all ethnic
communities.”
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, ministers, parliamentarians, provincial
politicians including the chief minister and governor of the North
Central Province, Tri-Forces’ Commanders, the Chief Justice, government
officials, ambassadors, High Commissioners and the public participated.
Words to remember
*“We have to give the rural people who comprises 80 percent of our
population the results of giant development works we have initiated in
the country. It is not only an expectation but also a challenge which we
are ready to take up.”
*“We would be able to utilize the giant development works built by us
for national development only if we can bring up a citizen equipped with
modern, scientific, technical and language skills and who could be on
par with anybody else in the world.”
*“We would be able to exist as an independent, sovereign state only
if we strengthen our economy. We have to get together and work just as
we got together and worked with dedication to defeat terrorism.”
*“Ethnic communities have no separate regions. The entire country
belongs to all ethnic communities.” |