You did it

Our Forces are fighting a deadly terrorist group. We are a highly politicised country. We don't like it. But we cannot deny it. We have people who continue to sell the country for dollars, kroners, sterling pounds, rupees and various other currencies. We have people who scream at the drop of a hat.

We also have people who fight for human rights- mostly their rights. We have expert commentators, analysts who had never set their foot on the ground. We also have some diplomats who think this is still a colony and we have people who support them and people who stand up to them. We have people who really feel for their land of birth.

They truly fight to save it and to provide a better tomorrow for people living in Colombo and other parts of the country.

We also have people who want to party till they drop dead and who do not care about others. We also have people who would try to give legitimacy to the terrorist group at any cost. They write in support of the terrorist group and give them space freely.

We have a giant rumour mill. Let me say an industry. We wouldn't know how much foreign exchange they bring to this country by keeping this industry going. We witnessed that during the World Cup final last week. Some enjoyed the fireworks.

Some said Sri Lanka was under attack. They thought very low of themselves. It is no secret that this country is fighting terrorists. We have lost our friends, neighbours, brothers and sisters. We have made mistakes.

Firstly, we have to become a nation with pride. We have to be proud like the Indians, Pakistanis and the Bangladeshis. This is a time we are trying to bring that back, to cultivate it. That's why we say TOGETHER FOR ALL.

Today the country will welcome our cricketers. They made us proud. They were good Ambassadors for our country. They made us smile. They reached out to the world. They showed the world what Sri Lanka is all about.

They also taught the world about sportsmanship and how one should stand up together - TOGETHER FOR ALL. They also have in their midst a gentle Australian by the name of Tom Moody. We salute him too.

Thank you for the cricket. Thank you for the joy. Thank you for the action. Thank you for the unity. Thank you for kicking Am-nasty. Thank you Mahela. Thank you Sanath. Thank you Kumar. Thank you Upul Tharanga. Thank you Murali. Thank you Vass. Thank you Lasith Malinga. Thank you Dilhara. Thank you Russel. Thank you Dilshan. Thank you Chamara. Thank you Maharoof. Thank you Marvan. Thank you Nuwan. Thank you Malinga Bandara. You did it. You did it for Sri Lanka.

Bandula Jayasekara