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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.”
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