‘Let us correct failures and move ahead’
President Maithripala Sirisena calls for bridging gulfs in his maiden Independence Day speech, while Declaration of Peace is read out in all three languages
The 67th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence was celebrated with less pomp and pageantry with President Maithripala Sirisena, in his first Independence Day speech, calling on the people of all communities to work together.
The celebrations began at 9 a.m. with President Sirisena hoisting the national flag. at Parliament grounds at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, amidst downcast skies and cool winds blowing from the Diyawanna Oya. The National Anthem was then sung by a group of schoolchildren selected from several schools in the country.
Flanked by the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force and the Police chief, President Sirisena in his address to the nation highlighted the importance of the country going beyond the defeat of terrorism and moving towards reconciliation.
“After the war ended, we have failed to bridge the gulf between the people in the north and the south. There is no point in accusing individuals for the failures of the past but what is more important is to correct failures and mistakes and move ahead,” he said.
He also emphasised the need to put aside political differences and move ahead together. “We made several pledges to the people that we promised to fulfil after the January 8 election. We remain bound by these pledges. Poverty is a reality in our country. We have to work towards reducing the income gap among people, eliminating poverty and strengthening the national economy,” he said. A Tamil translation of the speech was then read out.
The parade saw around 5500 troops from the three armed forces as well as members of the Sri Lanka, Police, the Special task Force (STF) and the Civil Defence Force taking part. Members of the National Cadet Corps and National Youth Corps also participated in the parade.
The traditional 25-gun salute to the nation was accorded by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe accompanied by his wife Maithree, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Chief Justice K.Sripavan, Ministers, MPs, and diplomats were among the special invitees.
A special feature of this year’s Independence celebrations was the Declaration of Peace that was read out in all three languages by three schoolstudents. It was read out soon after President Sirisena’s address to the nation and was in line with a key recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report in 2011.
The declaration read, "Today our beloved nation is at a moment of unprecedented opportunity. Terrorism and violence have ended. The time and space required for healing and building sustainable peace and security for all is upon us. It is now for us to seize this opportunity to ensure the fruits of democracy and citizenship can be equitably enjoyed by all.
"As we mark the 67th Independence Day of our nation today, we pay our respects to all the citizens of this country, of all ethnicities and religions, who lost their lives due to the tragic conflict that affected this land for over three decades and for all the victims of violence since Independence.
"On this solemn occasion we pledge to adopt consensual approaches through democratic means, to advance national interest, national reconciliation, justice and equality for all citizens. We shall do this in a spirit of tolerance, accommodation and compromise and uphold the unity and territorial integrity of the nation for the progress and development of our pluralistic society.
"We pledge to protect freedom and democracy, promote amity, cooperation between the diverse communities in this country, and at all times strive to walk the path of peace. We pledge our collective commitment to ensure that never again will we allow this land to be traumatised by the shedding of blood of her citizens."