Message by Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge on the occasion of Independence Day

February 4 2001 

Our motherland celebrates the 53^rd anniversary of her independence today making yet another milestone in Sri Lanka’s history.

I am happy to make use of this occasion to remember with respect and to pay homage to the innumerable numbers of courageous leaders who have laid down their lives for the independence and liberation of our land. I also pledge on this momentous day on behalf of my government to safeguard the identity and integrity of this country for which they have sacrificed their lives.

The independence, which we have won, can only become meaningful in a country where all communities can live in peace and amity. Every moment in which peace and amity prevails among our people will contribute in its own way to consolidating the economic, social and political independence of our country. It is only through such means that our people will be able to think freely and live freely attending to their day-to-day needs.

My Government since assuming office in 1994 had done much to end the dark days of terror. We shall be able to renew and guarantee our freedoms only if we ensure that the conditions are not created for going beck to those brutish time.

While we should surrender to any force which seeks to work against peace, it is also important that we should not lose hope before the challenges posed by their cowardly terrorist acts. I wish to reiterate on this occasion that will not permit ant inimical force to suppress the integrity of our nation, which has been safeguard through many years with great determination against considerable odds. It is only through determination and commitment coupled with courage, patience and vigilant that we shall be able to overcome the challenges before us.

On this occasion of the 53^rd anniversary of our independence, we should be able to marshal the strength and the resolve to achieve the noble aim of putting an ends to the cruel and protracted was which has proved to be an immense burden to our people for several decades. The time has come for the people of the North and the South to join hands setting aside all differences to attain this noble and most needed goal. 

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