“We have yet to trek a long distance to achieve stable peace” - President Kumaratunga
[January 01, 2003 - 08.30 GMT]

President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that the absence of war is not peace and Sri Lankans have yet to trek a long distance to achieve a stable peace.

“Let us pray for the grace to forget our differences and emerge as a peaceful, united nation,” President said in a New Year message.

The President said that in order to bring those who have made violence their livelihood into a society that values human dignity, it is necessary to find solutions for the basic socio-economic factors that led them to violence.

Full text of President’s New Year message

I take this opportunity to wish every Sri Lankan a peaceful New Year filled with success, happiness and peace. 

It is customary around this time to reflect on our achievements of the previous year. 

The guns of war have certainly fallen silent and that is a victory for all of us. The cessation of hostilities has brought relief to all sections of the society. We do know however that the absence of war is not peace. We have yet to trek a long distance to achieve a stable peace.

The recent international resolve to end terrorism of all forms threatening   civilised society is heartening. The root causes of terrorism must be understood and action must be initiated to resolve them.

In order to bring those who have made violence their livelihood into a society that values human dignity, we have to identify the basic socio-economic factors that led them to violence and find solutions for them. 

I am delighted to note that the role we played during the past eight years to democratically resolve the North East conflict through negotiation has borne fruit. We need to ensure that the human rights of all those living in the North East and their democratic rights are protected. We as a Nation need to make our people aware of these hallowed concepts and values.

Any solution should be within a united Sri Lanka respecting its sovereignty. While we protect, consolidate and respect the rights of the minority communities, the rights and freedom of all Sri Lankans should also be safeguarded. 

While everyone has the right to democratically oppose those in power, the current trend of blatant violation of that right by certain sections of society must be brought to an end immediately.   

We also must take steps to arrest the decline of the economy and raise the quality of life of all Sri Lankans by keeping a close tab on the cost of living. Let us resolve to raise a new generation that will put the nation above self and work towards its betterment. 

Let us pray for the grace to forget our differences and emerge as a peaceful, united nation. 

Let us achieve Peace with dignity for all and not Peace at any cost.

May the blessings of the Triple Gem, Almighty God, all the Devas and Allah be showered upon our beloved Nation and its peoples. 

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

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Last Updated Date: January 01, 2003  - 08.30 GMT.