We celebrate this 59th anniversary of Independence with great pride. On that historic occasion in 1948, the late Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake said independence was obtained to reduce suffering and increase happiness among people without any discrimination on grounds of race, political affiliation, religion or any such differences.
Accordingly, we celebrate this 59th anniversary of independence at a time when we take pride in our ability to come together, irrespective of political differences. History has shown us that we can rise up as a country and nation when we are united.
All of us who celebrate this 59th anniversary of Independence should remember that in the great struggle for freedom all our communities — Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and all others — were committed as one to the cause of freedom. Therefore, freedom was won, not for any single community but for all, which includes the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and all others who comprise the Sri Lankan nation.
Freedom is our right to decide our own destinies without being subservient to any external forces. Having thus taken charge of our destinies, we are faced with a great responsibility.
As we mark this 59th anniversary of independence, our responsibilities appear to be daunting. We are today faced with the challenges bequeathed to us in the post-independence decades, which include the defeat of terrorism, overcoming the destruction of the tsunami and achieving economic development.
On this important day, it is our pledge to defeat terrorism both nationally and internationally, thus paving the way for our people to live freely and work according to their wishes in any part of our country. Amid all these challenges before us, there is also the responsibility of developing our country and taking the dividends of such development to the people. We celebrate the 59th anniversary of independence with a firm resolve to overcome all challenges and carry out our responsibilities to the fullest.
Freedom is an endless process that does not end with its initial achievement. It is something to be won, cherished and sustained. Many are those among our people who sacrificed their lives to achieve freedom. I honor and salute all those patriots who served the cause of freedom.
I wish you all a happy future.
Mahinda Rajapakse
President