Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s Independence Day Message

Following is the message by the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to mark Sri Lanka’s 68th Independence Day:

We are at another special juncture of history at this moment where our motherland proudly commemorates its 68th Independence Day. At this moment of commemorating the 68th Independence day, we are in the process of experimenting with many new democratic reforms which were generally requested by the people of the country.

The noble idea of Independence is engraved in democracy. It is this democracy that is sanctioned by the Constitutional Council and even the Independent Commissions. It is a victory gained by a civilised society. It is a reason why our country is respected as a unique country in the world. That is the reason why this 68th independence commemoration becomes a juncture where this country can be taken forward through a new direction.

Hon. Sir D. S. Senanayeka, who is attributed as the father of our Independence pointed out that the freedom which we have to achieve is fivefold. i.e., Freedom from Foreign Governance; Freedom from Unemployment; Freedom from Diseases; Freedom from Privation and Freedom from Ignorance.

It is not a secret that the other four types of challenges are still ahead of us at different levels, other than the freedom from Foreign Governance. What is needed to overcome these challenges is to act in solidarity as one Sri Lankan nation with dauntless courage. In the past the pioneers of the independence struggle belonged to different nationalities and religions. There were attitudinal differences among them. However, the common dream to liberate the motherland from the Western nations was their prime objective.

That is why the independence we then gained becomes a result of a great struggle spearheaded in solidarity irrespective of the barriers of nationality, religion and caste.

I wish that the patriotic sentiments that are stimulated along with the commemoration of Independence be directed with new determinations and towards new targets while admiring the ideals of the aforesaid pioneers of the past.