6 February, 2023
Distinguished invitees
My heartfelt greetings and congratulations to my fellow SriLankans present here with us today and to my fellow compatriots in the tristate area of NY on this 75th anniversary of our Independence. I am honored and privileged to address you on this occasion which signifies a milestone achievement in the life of our nation.
Sri Lanka completes 75 years as an independent nation. The 4th of February is day that signifies social harmony, unity and empowerment of our people. A day when we had freed ourselves from the bonds of colonial rule and embarked on a new journey, a journey that was to chart the course of our future destiny to true freedom and progress. As all of us celebrate the anniversary of that day, we bow to all those men and women who made enormous sacrifices to make it possible for us to live in a free Sri Lanka. For to be free, as Mandela said ‘is not merely to cast off one’s chains but live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. We must be free not because we claim freedom but because we practice it. Life without liberty as Khalil Gibran the poet said ‘is like a body without a spirit’. It is the freedom that would permit the synthesis of our life with liberty that we must celebrate. The freedom to blossom to the fullness of our beings. It was Einstein who told us that ‘for everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom’. That is what true independence is all about.
It is therefore a day that gives a reason for celebration not only for all of us but also for every citizen committed to the cause of democracy around the world. You will recall that democracy was a luxury enjoyed by economically advanced nations. We, after so many years of colonization at the hands of foreign occupiers, were compelled to suffer amongst many other things the loss of our heritage of a rich culture, the destruction of a granary of agricultural advancement such as in UVA Wellassa, the destruction of a network of irrigational structures and religious sites and the denouncing of established customary practices of the highest ethical order that recognized the principles of fairness and equality .
However the resilient people that we are, we rose to the call of . democracy in more than the expected measure. Democracy in our country was nourished with the innate qualities we are born with to the point that it took solid root in our nation but also formed a foundational structure for our way of life.
So much so that I might proudly recall that in most other well-established democracies, women had to engage in long-drawn struggle enjoy the right to universal adult franchise. We did it before most ,in 1931at the first election to the State Council of Ceylon when this right was extended to all our people to elect 50 members to the legislature. Sri Lanka can therefore be proud of the fact that we have contributed in a large measure to promote the true potential of democracy.
My dear friends this is no coincidence. At the beginning of civilisation, our religious leaders have schooled us in an environment of humanity, have left us with a vision that was defined by equality for all; a one Sri Lanka and a one SriLankan identity oneness of all as enshrined by fundamental guarantees in our constitution. The independence in Ceylon and its leaders like Hon DS Senanayake re-discovered our ancient values for modern times. It is therefore of little surprise that our democracy has deep seated cultural and religious features endemic to our country.
Dear friend for a nation which enjoys a culture of over 2000 years and a history of over 3000 years the passage of 75 years is but a relatively short one but for many of us it is a span of a lifetime. Senior citizens among us have witnessed a dramatic change in our lifetime. We have seen how, after Independence, generations have experienced turbulent times; we continue to face great challenges and how we have taken charge of our destiny. The lessons learnt in the process will prove useful as we move towards the next milestone in the journey of the nation, the next 25 years to the celebration of the centenary of our Independence entrusted to our new leaders in the trust that we will rise to the new horizons of freedom and progress.
The world has seen a different Sri Lanka in recent years, particularly after the outbreak of COVID-19. No doubt our response to the pandemic has been appreciated globally. But we have in that process brought upon ourselves a host of issues of pandemic proportions. The pandemic has seriously affected lives and economies globally. We have no time to waste. We must work towards economic success leading to an ease in our style of living. To achieve this objective Economic reforms will be put in place along with innovative welfare measures with the assistance of our friends in the international community.
The objectives of these policies and many other similar efforts is to provide basic amenities to all, particularly the poor and vulnerable. You will be appreciate that our national values have been written into our Constitution as the Fundamental rights and Duties of the citizens. I appeal to each and every one of you to be sensitive to these values and follow them in letter and spirit to support Sri Lanka’s journey towards a new independence. I am reminded of that often quoted saying by President Kennedy when he said “ask not the question what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. I am tempted to recall those beautiful words in the poem by Sir Walter Scott “breathes there the man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, this is my own, my native land”. Our souls must be alive to the call of our native land. This is my message to each and every one of us. It is a message that should be carried not just for today but throughout our lives as children of a proud mother-Lanka.
At the center of this renaissance, we have been experiencing in the public sector activity in healthcare, education, economy as well as a number of other related areas the stress on good governance. When work is done with the spirit of ‘Nation First’, I can assure you that it will be reflected in every decision and every public activity which in turn will reflect well in Sri Lanka’s image on the global stage. We sincerely look to you for that support.
Dear friends In celebrating Independence Day, we are celebrating our unity in diversity, while we all have something in common. It is this common thread which binds all of us together and inspires us to walk together in the spirit of being truly SriLankan. It is the freedom that is structured upon the will to be responsible for ourselves. Let us on this 75th anniversary pledge to do everything we possibly can for the sake of the safety, security, progress and prosperity of our country. Our existence will become meaningful only if we meaningfully participate in the nation building process, if we are to enjoy the dream of true independence. Dear friends, true freedom and independence never come easily and never free. Let’s pledge to love Sri Lanka.
This is the clarion call of our motherland for making some sacrifice for the motherland and be part of the upliftment of our fellow citizens. To follow these ideals is my special appeal I make on behalf of our country at a time which has never been more decisive. Permit me finally to thank you and all those who participated in the cultural performance, the reverend clergy, the staff of my mission and the several benefactors who contributed in a meaningful way to make this event a reality. I wish you all a happy Independence Day.
Thank you