The Embassy and Permanent Mission of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 
08. February 2010
Address
by H. E.
on the
62nd
Anniversary of
In
1815,
When
I unfurled the
national flag today, I remembered those heroic soldiers who sacrificed
their
lives and limbs for the freedom of the country and all those who worked
with
dedication for the liberation struggle.
Friends,
Freedom
is a
responsibility. The people of this country have entrusted me with that
responsibility on January 26 by a larger majority than in the 2005
Presidential
election. I would like to assure you that I will fulfill that trust
placed upon
me.
Accordingly,
it was
demonstrated to the world that for us the Motherland is first, second
and
third. Thus, we have become richer with the supreme human quality of
gratitude.
It is my fortune to fight along side people with such great qualities
to
preserve the freedom of our nation. It is indeed a privilege to live in
a
country with such intelligent people. I am fortunate to be the leader
of a
country of fathers, mothers and children who know the value of
gratitude.
I
have succeeded in
uniting the territory. Now, I am entrusted with the task of uniting the
hearts
of all sections of our people. I willingly take over the noble task of
creating
peace among our communities.
The
first Prime
Minister,
Friends,
This
is the time when
the benefits of unifying the nation begin to show results. Now that the
war has
ended, the nation is saving more than the cost of the war.
International
research magazines recently reported that
We
were able to gain
such achievements because infrastructure was speedily built whilst the
war was
being waged. I will use this mandate
given by you to re- establish all that was lost for the past 30 years
due to
the war.
Our
country which fell
back in progress because of the war needs to be advanced swiftly. Peace
alone
is not enough. An efficient, advanced nation needs to be built to
replace a
country which is lazy, lethargic and lacks energy. It is meaningless to
blame
our nation for its inefficiency whilst referring to the efficiency and
progress
of other countries. We proved at the recent overwhelming victory that
our
people could overtake them.
In
the development of
the country the private sector too has a responsibility similar to that
of the
public sector. There is a better environment for the private sector
which was
at a standstill during the war. I expect a public service which can
take quick
decisions and which is people friendly. I will make the government
service a
service for the public.
You
are aware that
during the operation to defend the country, I protected the heroes who
fought
for the country. I represented them everywhere. And now in the nation
building
process, I will protect the honest and skilled people who work for the
betterment of the country. The country cannot be developed with
harassment,
gross punishments or by the gun. Discipline is not revenge. The nation
can only
be built through commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption.
In
the
We
will make this a
country where people return to, instead of leave for fear of life or
poverty.
We need to remove the bureaucratic hurdles on the path to economic
development
as we removed road barriers. My people were at a standstill for thirty
years
because of terrorists. Now this era is over. We will create a country
where
people can live at ease.
I
implore the separatist
forces and local and international conspirators not to underestimate
our
motherland and the people of this nation.
Friends,
We
have brought
massive
development to the North and East regions as never witnessed in history
after
removing their fear of death.
The
people of the North
and East suffered for thirty years without their
democratic rights. I was able
to grant them democracy. That is the greatest victory we have achieved.
We
do not strengthen the
parties based on divisive politics on the basis of colour or tribe,
pro- LTTE
or separatist.
I
am certain that the
people in the North and East could stand on their own feet through a
solution
wrought by devolving powers to the villages and empowering them in the
entire
country.
In
accordance with
(In
Tamil)
My dear
people
Today is our
Independence Day. It is
a very happy day for all of us. Thirty years of terrorism is now over.
We are
celebrating our independence in such an atmosphere for the first time.
Now all
of you can live in consolation without fear or doubt.
Anyone can
go anywhere freely. That
is very important. This is our motherland. All of us are children of
one
mother. All of us are kings today. We all should live together as
brothers with
equal rights and with dignity. Let us discuss our issues among
ourselves and
resolve them.
Everyone
will receive all facilities
in equal manner. That is called equality and equal rights.
One country,
one people, one law.
That is our way, the only way.
Thus, there
is no racism, separatism
or terrorism. Never forget the motherland; never betray it. We consider
no one
in our country as a minority person. All those who love the country are
children of
Our
motherland is emerging as a hub
of development. Democracy should be protected forever.
Recently,
the people of Northern and
Eastern provinces too were able to vote democratically. I am very
pleased about
it. Politicians should not mislead the innocent people.
Hereafter,
we will not entertain
narrow divisions based on race, religion, language and political
ideology in
terms of regions. Never leave room for the politics of hate. Peace,
brotherhood, co-existence and prosperity -- that is our prime
objective.
Let us join
together. Let us build
this country for the sake of our future generations.
(end
of Tamil text)
You all are
aware that our foreign
policy is independent and non-aligned. It is no secret that we have
maintained
close friendly relationships with our neighbours such as
In my
foreign policy, whatever I
have done was in the interest of the people of this country. Now the
world
should have a correct opinion about us. The Tiger terrorism that
impacted on
other countries too has ended. The state of war is now over. We are
entering
into a new era of co-existence after finishing the period of some
controversy.
I would like to say that we are now entering the golden era of
international
relations.
Friends,
I never
thought of gaining political
mileage and take decisions that betrayed the nation. I will never
betray the
country. The decisions I took from the time when I decided to defeat
terrorism,
were taken while thinking of the country's welfare. I did not think of
political power when I took decisions. I did not take decisions to
implement
major projects; the Norochcholai coal power station and
My
feet were worn out by
walking in long marches with my people. I have sweated in the fight for
the
rights of the working class. My voice was trained and tuned to rise up
against
injustice.
I
spent my free time
listening to the grievances of the common people. The only time I could
not
listen to the problems of the common people was when I was imprisoned
for
fighting for the democratic rights of the people. Our house has become
a home
for the common people. Today, the luxurious carpets at the Temple Trees
affectionately receive the feet of common people.
I
did not ask you to
crown me. However, please remember that I have placed the crown of
freedom,
prosperity and heroism on the heads of you and your children.
I
have understood the
fatherly love and affection of your sons and daughters for me. The
affection of
the sons and daughters of this country was an enormous blessing for me.
It
was on this historic
place that
Now
I am addressing you
from the place where the child hero,
I
feel I am the world's
luckiest leader of state to earn the love and affection of such a
heroic and
talented generation of children.
Friends,
Please
protect your
child who grows up with love for the country. We have to build a
society where
your sons and daughters could live with knowledge and good values. It
is for
our children that we build this nation to be the Pride of Asia.
I
wish you a prosperous
future.
May
the Triple Gem bless
you and the blessings of the Sacred Tooth relic be with you.
