President Rajapaksa renews commitment; reassures people of his promises

• On 73rd Independence Day, pledges to discharge responsibility entrusted with commitment and dedication
• Says he was the leader people searched for; country will be governed according to Buddhist teachings
• Insists no one behind designing and supporting Easter Sunday attacks will escape justice
• Reiterates country’s economic hubs will not be sold to foreigners

In office for just over a year, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa used the 73rd Independence Day celebrations to renew his commitment to usher stability, security and socio-economic prosperity and reassured people of delivery of his promises.  

“I am the leader that you searched for. I will discharge the responsibility you have entrusted to me, with commitment and dedication,” President Rajapaksa pledged before the nation during his address at the Independence Square, where a low-key celebrations ceremony was held owing to the COVID-19 situation.

“Throughout history, strong civilisations were built and nations developed by those who worked on targets by looking positively towards the future. At this juncture, our nations’ development requires precisely that kind of vision,” emphasised the President. 

President Rajapaksa said that he will never hesitate to state that he is a Sinhala Buddhist leader. 

The country will be governed in accordance with Buddhist teachings. Within the Buddhist philosophic tradition of peaceful coexistence, which gives due respect to all religions and ethnicities, every person in this country, irrespective of his or her ethnic or religious identification, has the right to enjoy the freedom as equals under the nation’s legal framework. 

The President said perpetrators behind the Easter Sunday attacks will be severely dealt with according to the recommendations by the Presidential Commission appointed to inquire into the attacks and the previous Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security. 

“We will not allow those responsible for designing and enabling this tragedy to escape justice,” the President stressed. 

President Rajapaksa made these remarks addressing the nation at the 73rd Independence Day celebrations held at the Independence Square yesterday.

The policy of not selling national economic hubs to foreigners remains unchanged, President added.

Measures will be taken to change the outdated laws and regulations that affect the general public as well as domestic and foreign companies, said the President, adding that majority of the people who supported him at the Presidential election did so to fulfil common needs. 

“I am always prepared to fulfil the genuine expectations of the public that supported me with honest intent,” the President reassured.  

A cultural display representing every ethnic community in Sri Lanka added more colour to the event.  A large number of well-trained and well-dressed young men and women contributed by playing instruments and performing. 

Members of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Defence and National Cadet Corps joined the parade.

Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President Maithripala Sirisena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, Cabinet and State Ministers, members of the diplomatic corp, Commanders of Tri-Forces, Inspector General of the Police, Director General of the Department of Civil Defence, Government officials and war heroes were present on the occasion.