It was less than two years ago that Sri Lanka regained its freedom, best symbolized by the exodus to freedom that took place in the North, when hundreds of thousands fled to their safety under the flag of Sri Lanka, in a massive vote for freedom with their feet that in time and space surpassed even the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

It was an end to a conflict that robbed this nation of its youth, much of its land and sea, its growth, and violently took away our future opportunities. While it held back domestic progress, and shattered our economy, it also lowered Sri Lanka’s esteem in the world and all but robbed us of our voice in the comity of nations.

Today, the architect of that freedom regained moves on to the second stage of his great tryst with the destiny of our land. Having fully delivered on his promise of an honourable peace shared by all Sri Lankans, and steering the country towards reconciliation and economic recovery, he takes us to the threshold of regaining the future that was rapidly moving beyond our grasp.

As he takes the oath of office for a second term, this leader in whom our people have reposed their trust in such large measure, in free and fair elections, pledges to recapture what was lost to a generation and more, through three decades of bloody conflict. Strengthened by the people’s trust, he moves to a second term to regain new ground and move the nation forward to fully realize the potential of this land and its people.

He leads Sri Lanka to embrace the future; to advance in technology, innovate, create, and surge beyond economic recovery to economic success, fully harnessing the assets of nature and human resources that we have in abundance.

It is a challenge that few leaders will take so readily in a world facing a multitude of crises, in areas as varied and inter-connected as the economy, fiscal policy, food and energy, and climate change. But such challenges cannot deter a leader who stood firm against many a power, and such a range of inter-linked forces in showing the world how terrorism can be defeated, and a people divided can be led to peace and unity.

The era that dawns today is one of new expectations. It is one of building on the good foundations already laid through years of crisis on domestic policy and international relations. It is an era of enterprise, of new heights in education and health, of new infrastructure, industry and investment in future generations. It is a time to make investors discover the true potential of Sri Lanka, while visitors carry away the best memories of our land, our heritage, culture, traditions and abounding friendship.

This is also the propitious time when we too begin to discover and cherish the value of our own assets and not let them be plundered for evanescent development. We move into times when our abundant blessings of nature in fauna, flora, water, minerals and the environment are preserved and enriched for the future; while learning from the past of how one lives in partnership with nature.

Most of all it is the time when Sri Lanka will be recognized for its present path of peace, reconciliation and commitment to democracy, as it has been for its rich history and culture; accepted as the oldest and substantial democracy in Asia, and regarded with honour for its commitment to the progress and prosperity of all its people, in the spirit of the four great faiths that flourish in this land.

As Mahinda Rajapaksa takes his Oath of Office for his second term today, the leader who saw the rebirth of freedom in this land, will not rest until he sees Sri Lanka regain her rightful place among the nations of the world; as the leader of a land and a people who will regain their future that is their rightful inheritance from a centuries old history. Providence will partner his faith in this land and its people to lead us to the greatness that awaits this nation.