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Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 7.00 GMT |
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Nation building
through corruption - free commitment and
discipline – President |
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President
Mahinda
Rajapaksa
said
that the
nation
could
only be
built
through
commitment,
discipline
and
elimination
of
corruption.
“You are
aware
that
during
the
operation
to
defend
the
country,
I
protected
the
heroes
who
fought
for the
country.
I
represented
them
everywhere.
And now
in the
nation
building
process,
I will
protect
the
honest
and
skilled
people
who work
for the
betterment
of the
country.
The
country
cannot
be
developed
with
harassment,
gross
punishments
or by
the gun.
Discipline
is not
revenge.
The
nation
can only
be built
through
commitment,
discipline
and
elimination
of
corruption,”
stated
President
Mahinda
Rajapaksa
at the
62nd
Independence
Day
celebration
in Kandy
today
(04
Feb).
Today we
celebrate
the
anniversary
of
independence
after
the
liberation
of the
entire
country
from
terrorist
threat
for the
first
time in
30
years. I
am proud
to
proclaim
that we
are in a
position
to raise
the flag
of Sri
Lanka
with
dignity
in the
entire
country,
President
Rajapaksa,
addressing
the
nation
in
Sinhala
and
Tamil,
further
stated
that the
people
of the
North
and East
suffered
for
thirty
years
without
the
democratic
right.
“I was
able to
grant
them
democracy.
That is
the
greatest
victory
we have
achieved,”
he said.
We were
able to
gain
many
achievements
because
infrastructure
was
speedily
built
whilst
the war
was
being
waged. I
will use
this
mandate
given by
you to
re-
establish
all that
was lost
for the
past 30
years
due to
the war,
stated
the
President.
He
continued,
“an
efficient,
advanced
nation
needs to
be built
to
replace
a
country
which is
lazy,
lethargic
and
lacks
energy.
It is
meaningless
to blame
our
nation
for its
inefficiency
whilst
referring
to the
efficiency
and
progress
of other
countries.
We
proved
at the
recent
overwhelming
victory
that our
people
could
overtake
them”.
I
protected
the
heroes
who
fought
for the
country.
I
represented
them
everywhere.
Even
during
the
nation
building
process,
I will
protect
the
honest
and
skilled
people
who work
for the
betterment
of the
country,
the
President
emphasized.
Following
is the
full
text of
the
speech:
Today we
celebrate
the
anniversary
of
Independence
after
the
liberation
of the
entire
country
from
terrorist
threat
for the
first
time in
30
years. I
am proud
to
proclaim
that we
are in a
position
to raise
the flag
of Sri
Lanka
with
dignity
in the
entire
country.
In 1815,
Variyapola
Sumangala
Thero
hoisted
our flag
on this
historic
land
after
lowering
the
Union
Jack. I
wish to
pay my
respect
to the
venerable
monks as
well as
the
revered
clergy
of all
religions
for
their
dedication
and
commitment
displayed
to
preserve
this
freedom.
When I
unfurled
the
national
flag
today, I
remembered
those
heroic
soldiers
who
sacrificed
their
lives
and
limbs
for the
freedom
of the
country
and all
those
who
worked
with
dedication
for the
liberation
struggle.
Friends,
Freedom
is a
responsibility.
The
people
of this
country
have
entrusted
me with
that
responsibility
on
January
26 by a
larger
majority
than in
the 2005
Presidential
election.
I would
like to
assure
you that
I will
fulfill
that
trust
placed
upon me.
Accordingly,
it was
demonstrated
to the
world
that for
us the
Motherland
is
first,
second
and
third.
Thus, we
have
become
richer
with the
supreme
human
quality
of
gratitude.
It is my
fortune
to fight
along
side
people
with
such
great
qualities
to
preserve
the
freedom
of our
nation.
It is
indeed a
privilege
to live
in a
country
with
such
intelligent
people.
I am
fortunate
to be
the
leader
of a
country
of
fathers,
mothers
and
children
who know
the
value of
gratitude.
I have
succeeded
in
uniting
the
territory.
Now, I
am
entrusted
with the
task of
uniting
the
hearts
of all
sections
of our
people.
I
willingly
take
over the
noble
task of
creating
peace
among
our
communities.
The
first
Prime
Minister,
Rt. Hon.
D. S.
Senanayake
stated
on the
occasion
of the
first
Independence
Day that
the
meaning
of
freedom
is to
curtail
sorrows
and
enhance
happiness.
That is
the
desire
of the
people
when a
country
attains
independence.
I would
like to
point
out that
the past
four
years
was the
most
meaningful
era of
freedom
since we
attained
independence.
Friends,
This is
the time
when the
benefits
of
unifying
the
nation
begin to
show
results.
Now that
the war
has
ended,
the
nation
is
saving
more
than the
cost of
the war.
International
research
magazines
recently
reported
that Sri
Lanka is
among
the 31
countries
in the
list of
best
tourist
destinations.
Sri
Lanka is
second
only to
China
among
Asia's
fastest
growing
economies.
Sri
Lanka is
also
listed
among
the best
countries
for
investment.
We
cordially
invite
investors
here.
We were
able to
gain
such
achievements
because
infrastructure
was
speedily
built
whilst
the war
was
being
waged. I
will use
this
mandate
given by
you to
re-
establish
all that
was lost
for the
past 30
years
due to
the war.
Our
country
which
fell
back in
progress
because
of the
war
needs to
be
advanced
swiftly.
Peace
alone is
not
enough.
An
efficient,
advanced
nation
needs to
be built
to
replace
a
country
which is
lazy,
lethargic
and
lacks
energy.
It is
meaningless
to blame
our
nation
for its
inefficiency
whilst
referring
to the
efficiency
and
progress
of other
countries.
We
proved
at the
recent
overwhelming
victory
that our
people
could
overtake
them.
In the
development
of the
country
the
private
sector
too has
a
responsibility
similar
to that
of the
public
sector.
There is
a better
environment
for the
private
sector
which
was at a
standstill
during
the war.
I expect
a public
service
which
can take
quick
decisions
and
which is
people
friendly.
I will
make the
government
service
a
service
for the
public.
You are
aware
that
during
the
operation
to
defend
the
country,
I
protected
the
heroes
who
fought
for the
country.
I
represented
them
everywhere.
And now
in the
nation
building
process,
I will
protect
the
honest
and
skilled
people
who work
for the
betterment
of the
country.
The
country
cannot
be
developed
with
harassment,
gross
punishments
or by
the gun.
Discipline
is not
revenge.
The
nation
can only
be built
through
commitment,
discipline
and
elimination
of
corruption.
In the
Mahinda
Chintana,
we
mentioned
that Sri
Lanka
will be
made a
centre
of
marine,
aviation,
commercial,
energy
and
knowledge.
You may
feel
that
this
target
is very
far. But
we will
bring
the
benefits
of these
five
great
economic
forces
closer
to your
feet in
the near
future
in order
to end
the era
of
sorrow
and
tears.
We will
give
more
opportunities
to
artistes,
authors,
musicians
so that
the
yield of
their
creativity
would
enhance
the
contentment
of the
society.
We will
make
this a
country
where
people
return
to,
instead
of leave
for fear
of life
or
poverty.
We need
to
remove
the
bureaucratic
hurdles
on the
path to
economic
development
as we
removed
road
barriers.
My
people
were at
a
standstill
for
thirty
years
because
of
terrorists.
Now this
era is
over. We
will
create a
country
where
people
can live
at ease.
I
implore
the
separatist
forces
and
local
and
international
conspirators
not to
underestimate
our
motherland
and the
people
of this
nation.
Friends,
We have
brought
massive
development
to the
North
and East
regions
as never
witnessed
in
history
after
removing
their
fear of
death.
Uthuru
Vasanthaya
(Northern
Spring)
and
Nagenahira
Navodaya
(Eastern
Awakening)
are some
of the
major
development
projects
in the
country.
The
people
of the
North
and East
suffered
for
thirty
years
without
their
democratic
rights.
I was
able to
grant
them
democracy.
That is
the
greatest
victory
we have
achieved.
We do
not
strengthen
the
parties
based on
divisive
politics
on the
basis of
colour
or
tribe,
pro-
LTTE or
separatist.
I am
certain
that the
people
in the
North
and East
could
stand on
their
own feet
through
a
solution
wrought
by
devolving
powers
to the
villages
and
empowering
them in
the
entire
country.
In
accordance
with
Mahinda
Chintana:
Vision
Ahead, I
believe
that
discussions
should
be held
with the
people
and
their
representatives
of those
areas to
find
solutions
and take
action
as
necessary.
(In
Tamil)
My dear
people
Today is
our
Independence
Day. It
is a
very
happy
day for
all of
us.
Thirty
years of
terrorism
is now
over. We
are
celebrating
our
independence
in such
an
atmosphere
for the
first
time.
Now all
of you
can live
in
consolation
without
fear or
doubt.
Anyone
can go
anywhere
freely.
That is
very
important.
This is
our
motherland.
All of
us are
children
of one
mother.
All of
us are
kings
today.
We all
should
live
together
as
brothers
with
equal
rights
and with
dignity.
Let us
discuss
our
issues
among
ourselves
and
resolve
them.
Everyone
will
receive
all
facilities
in equal
manner.
That is
called
equality
and
equal
rights.
One
country,
one
people,
one law.
That is
our way,
the only
way.
Thus,
there is
no
racism,
separatism
or
terrorism.
Never
forget
the
motherland;
never
betray
it. We
consider
no one
in our
country
as a
minority
person.
All
those
who love
the
country
are
children
of
Mother
Lanka.
Our
motherland
is
emerging
as a hub
of
development.
Democracy
should
be
protected
forever.
Recently,
the
people
of
Northern
and
Eastern
provinces
too were
able to
vote
democratically.
I am
very
pleased
about
it.
Politicians
should
not
mislead
the
innocent
people.
Hereafter,
we will
not
entertain
narrow
divisions
based on
race,
religion,
language
and
political
ideology
in terms
of
regions.
Never
leave
room for
the
politics
of hate.
Peace,
brotherhood,
co-existence
and
prosperity
-- that
is our
prime
objective.
Let us
join
together.
Let us
build
this
country
for the
sake of
our
future
generations.
(end of
Tamil
text)
Friends,
You all
are
aware
that our
foreign
policy
is
independent
and
non-aligned.
It is no
secret
that we
have
maintained
close
friendly
relationships
with our
neighbours
such as
India,
China,
Japan
and
others.
We also
maintain
close
affinity
with
Africa,
the
West,
the
Middle
East and
the
European
countries.
In my
foreign
policy,
whatever
I have
done was
in the
interest
of the
people
of this
country.
Now the
world
should
have a
correct
opinion
about
us. The
Tiger
terrorism
that
impacted
on other
countries
too has
ended.
The
state of
war is
now
over. We
are
entering
into a
new era
of
co-existence
after
finishing
the
period
of some
controversy.
I would
like to
say that
we are
now
entering
the
golden
era of
international
relations.
Friends,
I never
thought
of
gaining
political
mileage
and take
decisions
that
betrayed
the
nation.
I will
never
betray
the
country.
The
decisions
I took
from the
time
when I
decided
to
defeat
terrorism,
were
taken
while
thinking
of the
country's
welfare.
I did
not
think of
political
power
when I
took
decisions.
I did
not take
decisions
to
implement
major
projects;
the
Norochcholai
coal
power
station
and
Upper
Kotmale
hydroelectric
project
to
obtain
foreign
assistance
to stay
in
power. I
have
done
this for
the
development
of the
country.
I have
done
this
because
those
are
essential
for the
country.
We will
not
surrender
even an
inch of
territory
from our
Motherland.
As I
have
always
said, we
will not
take
even a
single
step
backwards
to stay
in
power.
On the
other
hand, we
will go
forward
many
steps
under
any
difficult
conditions
in the
interest
of the
nation.
My feet
were
worn out
by
walking
in long
marches
with my
people.
I have
sweated
in the
fight
for the
rights
of the
working
class.
My voice
was
trained
and
tuned to
rise up
against
injustice.
I spent
my free
time
listening
to the
grievances
of the
common
people.
The only
time I
could
not
listen
to the
problems
of the
common
people
was when
I was
imprisoned
for
fighting
for the
democratic
rights
of the
people.
Our
house
has
become a
home for
the
common
people.
Today,
the
luxurious
carpets
at the
Temple
Trees
affectionately
receive
the feet
of
common
people.
I did
not ask
you to
crown
me.
However,
please
remember
that I
have
placed
the
crown of
freedom,
prosperity
and
heroism
on the
heads of
you and
your
children.
I have
understood
the
fatherly
love and
affection
of your
sons and
daughters
for me.
The
affection
of the
sons and
daughters
of this
country
was an
enormous
blessing
for me.
It was
on this
historic
place
that
Veera
Keppetipola
sacrificed
his life
without
any
fear,
for the
freedom
of the
nation.
I
believe
that the
leaders
who
ruled
this
nation
should
have a
heart
which
will not
betray
the
country
similar
to that
of Veera
Keppetipola.
Now I am
addressing
you from
the
place
where
the
child
hero,
Madduma
Bandara,
son of
Keppetipola's
sister,
sacrificed
his life
without
display
of any
fear.
Please
remember
that the
hearts
of your
sons and
daughters
too are
filled
with
unlimited
love for
the
motherland
similar
to that
of
Madduma
Bandara.
Your
sons and
daughters
have
unlimited
love for
me for
the same
reason.
I feel I
am the
world's
luckiest
leader
of state
to earn
the love
and
affection
of such
a heroic
and
talented
generation
of
children.
Friends,
Please
protect
your
child
who
grows up
with
love for
the
country.
We have
to build
a
society
where
your
sons and
daughters
could
live
with
knowledge
and good
values.
It is
for our
children
that we
build
this
nation
to be
the
Pride of
Asia.
I wish
you a
prosperous
future.
May the
Triple
Gem
bless
you and
the
blessings
of the
Sacred
Tooth
relic be
with
you.
Ends
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