Messages on 60th Independence Day

Create prosperous and united Sri Lanka to ensure rights of all

Kandy Uposhitha Pushparama Viharadhipathi Tibbatuwawe Shri Siddhartha Sumanagalabhidhana Mahanayake Thera:

Sri Lanka which had been an independent country for a long period claiming a proud history had been under the rule of Portuguese, Dutch and English for a period of 443 years since 1505 AD. We have fought for freedom in our motherland as a nation during this period.

We had to overcome a number of challenges on this occasion of completing 60 years after we achieved independence from the British domination on February 4, 1948 as a result of concerted effort made by Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher communities as Sri Lankans irrespective of communal differences.

Although we have attained independence peacefully and with non-violence while being fostered with noble qualities of Buddhism such as non-violence value of peace, patience and compassion, unfortunately flames of separatism gradually started to rise.

Today it has developed as a war for an Eelam. This war has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of properties and cripple development. Today violence, hatred, and anger reigns instead of non-violence and benevolence prevailing in the past.

Therefore, in the present time, it is our strenuous responsibility of all of us to give up all differences and disharmony to rise as united country while safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to re-establish the Sri Lankan dignity and grandeur.

Hence on this occasion of commemorating 60th Independence and create a prosperous and united Sri Lanka which protects rights of every community living in this country.

Blessings of Triple Gem!

Eliminate corruption, and terrorism and unite

Most Ven. Udugama Saddharma Keerthi Sri Dhammadassi Rathnapala Sri Buddharakkithabhidhana Maha Nayake Thera:

At this juncture when we celebrate on a grand scale the 60th Independence after the foreign domination it is apt to remember the Sri Lankan heroes with gratitude who took great pains to win the freedom.

Today there is a problem as to how meaningful has become the independence to us for which we fought for several years. Looking at the condition of the country which is caused by political differences coupled with terrorist activities, we cannot but state that we do not enjoy the independence meaningfully.

Because of this situation our country being a developing country, has been suffering badly. Peace and happiness has slunk away from all the people. We are well aware of the facts leading to this situation; then what is necessary is only to act in unity and concord.

Today, we need to pay our earnest attention to achieve peace and happiness forgetting narrow political and communal differences but uniting to eradicate terrorism.

We must be determined at this moment when we are celebrating this 60th independence to unite together in the spirit of being Sri Lankans, to rise as a country and a nation, following the path preached by the Lord Buddha, ending the violence, hatred and fury and also eliminating corruption and terrorism from our country.

May triple gem bless you all.

Eradicate terrorism cultivate mutual trust and brotherhood

Grandha Visharada Rajakiya Panditha Dawuldena Gnanissara, Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabhawe Uttarithara Mahanayaka Thera

From very ancient times our country suffered the influence of various foreign powers and from the first half of fifteenth century, the emperors who converted Sri Lanka into a breeding ground for the fulfilment of their necessities, adopted various strategies for about 450 years to divide Sri Lankans among themselves.

On all such occasions people of our country - Sinhala, Tamil, Muslims - who held the sovereignty of this country in high esteem acted in unison and perhaps risking their life and liberated themselves from the foreign domination by the mid of twentieth century.

Today a time has dawned to us to rethink how effectual we have made use of our independence which we gained in 1948, during this period of six decades.

It is not a secret from that day onward the country has been declining amidst various political ideologies and ethnic crises.

This is also caused by misconception, mistrust and disharmony among the various categories. This in turn, posed serious challenges to the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This decadence eroding the entire nation should be prevented forthwith, to achieve this end we all-Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims should act with a sense of brotherhood and in peace and harmony.

At this critical situation it is the responsibility of both rulers and ruled to act towards a common goal, forgetting all narrow and personal views.

Through this, all should divert their attention to bring about peace and prosperity in the country.

We should all be determined to remember this 60th Independence effectively by eradicating the terrorism which has engulfed our country for decades, shedding all communal religious and political differences and cultivating mutual trust and cordiality, friendship and brotherhood.

May have the blessing of the triple gem!

May all patriotic leaders be blessed to achieve unity

It is with great pleasure I convey my wishes on this occasion of 60th Independence Day. The passage of six decades is an immensely matured period in human life.

The nature of 60th year is the spell of relaxation in life on fulfilment of all in the journey of life. As war as our country is concerned it would have been a prosperous country.

Nevertheless, our nation has been deprived of such prosperity as a result of various crises. Devastation caused to our country by the conflict and tsunami is not negligible.

It is observed that our nation is slowly progressing due to the lack of patriotism that the people should hold towards the country and proper guidance of the State leadership. Accordingly, we are satisfied with the impression that our country is still developing.

Other states which paralleled our country have reached the highest rung of their progress in the present time. This position is indeed a great tragedy of our nation.

We also would have become a developed nation if we had proper guidance and unity without unnecessary dissensions and disputes. But there is no possibility for such unity and progress even in near future.

Therefore, I entertain a doubt whether we will be able to refer to this island as a developed country even after lapse of not only 60 years but also 100 years.

We should determine to endeavour to act with sincere concern about our future generation even in this year. Otherwise it is no doubt that we will be subject to their curse in future.

We must be earnestly committed to hand over the future generation a united country liberated from burden of debts and communal and ethnic conflicts. May all patriotic leaders be blessed with vigour and courage required to achieve this end.

May all have blessings of Triple Gem!

Journey thro’ political vision, patience and courage

Rt. Revd. Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo:

This year we celebrate 60 years of independence from British colonial rule. Our history as an independent people was interrupted and suppressed at the beginning of the sixteenth century with the invasion by the Portugese, followed by the Dutch and the British.

There is yet to be an apology from the former colonial powers, for the violence and exploitation to the economy and cultures of countries like ours.

Today sixty years after Self Government we still are a deprived and divided people.

While there is no such thing as a perfect nation, our performance continues to be traumatic and tragic.

Our growth and progress as an independent people has been violated by confrontational party politics, greed, and lack of vision and planning of the political leadership of the country, and an indifferent civil society.

There has yet to be an apology from our successive layers of political leaders for depriving our people of a legitimate, secure and integrated quality of life.

A long journey lies ahead towards freedom. True freedom is freedom for all. There can be no freedom for some at the expense of freedom for others. Any such promise is immoral and a political lie.

The journey towards freedom must acknowledge and overcome the immediate national threats of poverty, impunity and violence, the oppression of ignorance and disease, the hypocrisy, rhetoric and lies of politicians, and growing corruption, suspicion and fear amongst the people. It is a journey that will require forgiveness, reconciliation and healing between the communities.

“May God give us the courage to change the things we can, the humility to accept the things we cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

A sense of hope after a long period

Karu Jayasuriya (MP), Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs

Today, we commemorate the 60th anniversary of gaining independence to our motherland. To a great extent we can be happy about the progress we have achieved as a nation in the socio economic and cultural development front and the recognition we have gained within this period among the international community as a country still keeping a democratic form of government alive.

At the same time we also have to recognise the fact that we are faced with many challenges that could debilitate and destroy what we have painstakingly achieved so far and that our ability to face those problems and overcome them would ultimately decide the future course of our nation.

Since the problems that we are confronted with are so complex and complicated in nature, it is my view that any of our efforts to resolve those should be free of partisan politics, extremism, and parochial consideration, and our efforts should be guided by rational approach as opposed to political expediency and emotionalism.

We also should not forget the fact that as a generation born after independence and more over as people who were responsible for the governing the country we have no moral right to leave the burden of these problems to the future generation.

Therefore, I believe if we have the slightest opportunity to embark on a path of resolution we should seize that opportunity and act with determination and courage.

After a long period of time I could see that opportunity currently emerging under the leadership of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, giving all of us a sense of hope.

Eschew petty differences and march fowards

Plantation Industries Minister, D.M. Jayaratne

On this 60th Independence Day we should think in retrospect to see whether we as a nation are in the place we ought to have been today. Our age old customs, self-sufficient economy and pride were subjected to severe erosion during the Colonial rule, are still continuing to deteriorate.

We have been still unable to move forward as a nation because most leaders and political parties since independence tried to achieve their selfish motives without acting with foresight and generosity.

Although we have one of the highest literacy rates we are still walking in poverty when compared with most other nations.

However we should appreciate the determined and dedicated efforts taken by the common masses to unite our nation within a war atmosphere following in the footsteps of our forefathers who tried to protect our nation amidst foreign invasions in the past braving the economic hardships faced by them.

Let us on this 60th Independence day resolve to eschew petty differences and march towards development under a correct method by continuing that path.

It is only then that we will be able to enjoy the true benefits of independence.

Let’s promote unity to create a new Sri Lanka

Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo

Having stood together with one heart and soul we regained our freedom from colonial rule on 4th February 1948. We are now commemorating sixty years of that event.

On that great day our national leaders of the time clearly expressed the view that political freedom was only the initial step in nation building. They confessed that we still had a long way to go to bring our people to complete freedom and prosperity. They clearly confessed that we had to improve all aspects of national life in order to be truly a free people.

Today, sixty years later, we are involved in a great ethnic conflict trying to consolidate that unity that we have recklessly destroyed soon after we achieved Independence. After several outbursts of violence we are now engaged in a devastating armed struggle for nearly twenty five years.

This fratricidal conflict has brought our national life and our people to the lowest possible ebb which should really be a serious indictment on a people nurtured in the four great religious traditions of the world.

Our ethical and moral standards have deteriorated. The law and order situation is chaotic. Our economy is in a perilous state and the cost of living is sky rocketing. Human suffering is escalating. And there is hardly a glimpse of hope.

Almost all of this is our own creation and not anything that is foisted on us either by a hostile nation or unkind nature. It is simply our intolerance and inability to accept each other that has brought us to this impasse.

The basic tenet of all our religions is “Live and let live” That means “Do unto others what you would like being done to you.” I believe all of us love our lives and want our human dignity and rights respected. It is also a fundamental truth that none of us have chosen our race, caste and even often our religion. These are prerogatives gifted to us by nature. As such we have no right to claim prominence on these grounds.

Our prosperity as a nation will commence only on the day we realize this truth and stand together against all forms of bigotry.

May this new year of Independence strengthen and enlighten all of us to promote unity, fraternity and liberty to create a new Sri Lanka.

Prayers and best wishes for wellbeing of all

Swami Sarvarupananda, President Ramakrishna Mission

Sri Lanka is a land blessed with rich bounty of nature. With its lush green countryside, natural gemstones, quarries, charming tea gardens with verdant and undulating landscape in the backdrop the island nation of Sri Lanka is indeed a place with many blessings.

Steeped in a rich and ancient history, the culture and social values espoused by the people of Sri Lanka have nourished it for over 60 years with an impressive past and a glorious future.

The country won its freedom from its colonial rulers in 1948 and it has been making considerable progress in various fields of its national life ever since then. The great patriot monk Swami Vivekanand a, the prophet of modern times, used to emphasise the need to inculcate human values as a safeguard against all difficulties and challenges one faces in life.

On the happy occasion of commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of Independence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, I pray to the Lord who dispenses all happiness and sorrow to shower his blessings on His Excellency the President and the people of Sri Lanka.

Let’s ensure peace and prosperity

Ash-Shaikh Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe Hony. President, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

If we, Sri Lankan, commemorate today the 60th independence of our beloved motherland, it means that we are enjoying the fruits of the labour of the brave great people who fought to see the day when we make ourselves the masters of our ownselves with dignity and sovereignty.

It was a long battle of our national heroes armed with steadfast commitments and dedications.

Being blessed to enjoy the long 60 years of undisturbed life, our elderly people have witnessed the joys of the good old days and are experiencing the jeopardy of the present. Everyone knows where we went wrong; yet, no one seems ready to return from where we went wrong. The ultimate result may be remorseful if we fail to rectify the errors.

While enduring the effects of the chronic civil war, we, time and again, experience natural disasters, frequent strikes and fist fights too, which make the burdens of our day-to-day life too heavy to shoulder.

Yet most of us tend to lead the life without being bothered, as if we are in the world where there are no problems at all. May Allah, Almighty showers his bounties upon this blessed country.

Work for social peace and ethnic harmony

P. Chandrasekaran Minister of Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication

Sri Lanka became independent 60 years ago after having been under foreign domination for nearly 400 years. At the end of 60th year of independence we assess today our performance and achievements.

On this occasion on behalf of the Up Country People’s Front I convey my message of felicitation to the entire citizens of Sri Lanka.

I wish that all the citizens of Sri Lanka do get an equitable distribution of wealth and resources. With a view to achieving this object my ministry has undertaken several useful projects.

Whilst this Government is making every effort to soften the effects of rising cost of living such as the issue of foodstuffs at subsidised rate it is necessary that meaningful steps are taken to protect the fundamental rights of the plantation workers, women and children. We pledge that we shall work for social justice, communal harmony and shall pave way for our offspring to live in peace.

Pray for peace and prosperity

M. Faisal Faleel, National President, Muslim Welfare Association of Sri Lanka:

I have great pleasure in sending this message of greetings on the 60th anniversary Independence Day.

Independence was obtained with the co-operation and dedication of all the communities in Sri Lanka and indeed, I am proud to state that unity and friendship of all the communities is still maintained upto this date.

On this day the Muslim Welfare Association of Sri Lanka sincerely wish and pray that His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa - President, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka would steer the country for peace and prosperity. Aameen!

Let’s make independence more meaningful

Highways and Road Development Minister and Government Chief Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle:

We have been able to stand up proudly as citizens of an independent State today due to the sacrifices made by indigenous people and leaders against colonial rulers who had suppressed the country under their iron heel for centuries.

We obtained freedom due to the concerted struggle launched against Western powers by people of all communities in the North and South. The time has come for us to join hands and launched a similar struggle to liberate the country from separatist terrorists who had destroyed community life by spreading enmity among ethnic groups.

It is then that we can create an environment which would ensure a better future for our children and uplift our country in the international comity by rekindling patriotism and creative talents of our people.

On this 60th Independence Day let us resolve to make our independence more meaningful by developing and strengthening the indigenous economy dedicating ourselves to defeat terrorism and usher in peace by assisting the far-sighted programme launched by the President.