|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 10 April 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| SLFP to celebrate 47th anniversary of 1956 victory by Uditha Kumarasinghe The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will today (April 10) celebrate the 47th anniversary of the first Leftist Government formed by the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike in 1956 in collaboration with all the powers of the country Sangha, Weda, Guru, Govi and Kamkaru popularly known as "Panchamaha Balavegaya". Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse told a media briefing yesterday that the time has come to remind the people of this 1956 victory which is considered as a milestone in the Sri Lankan political history. It can be introduced as a period of transition in which the common man became as the leading factor of the political process, he said. He said the 1956 political victory was a joint effort of all the leftist parties. It led to several socio-economic changes in political history. As a result of the 1956 change, Panchamaha Balavegaya was formed creating a patriotic generation who respected the country and its indigenous culture. "At present, people have lost most of victories and services achieved by the 1956 victory. Therefore this would be an ideal time to remind the public on 1956 victory and again make joint efforts with all opposition parties to bring forward this vision," he said. SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said all the leftist governments formed after 1956 made clear socio-economic changes for the benefit of the country. At present these changes have been turned upside down. " We would like to give a message to the people that the victories achieved by the 1956 revolution are valid even today. Therefore we call upon all the opposition forces to join hands for the sake of country's future," he said. Former Parliamentarian Prof. Visva Warnapala said discussions on the 1956 social changes are very important today. This was the first time in Sri Lanka that the power vested in the anglicised elites was channelled to the Sinhala educated ordinary class. " The 1956 revolution can be introduced as a pragmatic change in political history. Any government formed after 1956 could not get closer to the public." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
