We are experiencing several new democratic reforms
We have reached another special crossroad in our history as we celebrate the 68th Independence Day of our motherland with pride today. We are today experiencing several new democratic reforms the people of this country asked for in common.
The supreme meaning of Independence is entrenched in democracy. It is this democracy which is being strengthened through the Constitutional Council and the Independent Commissions that have been set in motion. It is a victory of a civilised society which will earn honour for our country in the international world.
That is why the 68th Independence Day is a crossroad which has taken the country towards a new direction.
Late Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake who was affectionately called the Father of the Nation emphasised that we should attain a five fold independence namely independence from foreign rule, unemployment, sickness, poverty and ignorance.
Except independence from foreign rule, we are still facing the other challenges in some way. What is needed to overcome them is to unite and work with determination as a Sri Lankan nation. Pioneers of our freedom movement belonged to various communities and religions. They had dogmatic differences but they placed the dream of independence from western domination first before everything else.
The independence we won was the result of a great struggle launched in unity disregard of petty differences. I hope that the patriotic feelings kindled by the independence celebrations held with a leaf from the examples set by those ancient pioneers would take us towards new hopes and targets.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya