ONE NATION….

We have just celebrated the anniversary of Independence Day. At the first commemoration of this on the 4th February, 1949, four young ladies from our ethnic groups; Swarnamali Amarasuriya, Srimani Ramachandran, Ayesha Zally

and Phyllis de Kretser read out the messages presented to them by four athletes also from the same communities. Excerpts from this message read thus: ‘In our journey whither to the Independence Memorial, our feet had touched every province in the land and chief cities within.we recall the glories of our ancient civilisations as we pass through Anuradhapura.

The trials and difficulties of the living present impressed themselves in our minds as we approached the city of Colombo.

A vision of the future appeared before us as we thought of the great irrigation works such as Galoya now under construction.

We, the youth of this country drawn from all races, classes and creeds who have travelled night and day, through jungle and town, over hill and dale,s eeking you the Leader of our nation, offer a promise of sacrifice and co-operation in the common task of rebuilding our nation.. On this historic day, we pledge ourselves as citizens of one nation to combat the evils that we have inherited from the recent past, so that we may say, 'Rejoice, for we conquer'. These words should inspire the youth of today.