We commence our 57th year of independence at a momentous time in our history. No one would disagree that the occurrence of the morning of Dec. 26 a little over a month ago, was the most-devastating experience in our living memory. Nature’s fury was upon us, the ferocious tidal waves felled thousands of our fellowmen in a matter of minutes. The collective efforts of our ancestors and a significant portion of our history were swept away and ravaged.
Together with the entire nation I bow my head in condolence for all those who lost their lives and in sympathy with their loved ones. The Dec. 26 catastrophe was one we were not prepared for. However, as a nation we have taken control. I salute our people for their resilience. I am proud to be a Sri Lankan and to call myself a citizen of this small but great nation.
We are touched by the magnificent expression of solidarity and generosity of the ordinary people in every country across the globe.
The government for its part moved into action fast to set up systems and networks to assist the affected. Three days after the disaster the government set up a Special Task Force to assess the damage to infrastructure and housing and to plan the strategies for rebuilding. In under a month the reconstruction program was made ready for implementation.
Perhaps for the first time since independence all political parties are working together and effectively. I hope this is the dawn of a new era of unity amongst all our peoples.
Let us unite at this direst moment of our nation’s need. The task before us is massive. We need to rebuild the lives of our peoples and our infrastructure that took us decades to construct. The mighty forces of nature taught us a lesson that we refused to learn through several decades of independence. A nation that was home to various communities of peoples, divided itself along ethnic, linguistic and religious lines. Let us unite with those who we consider our enemies as well as with our friends in order that we rebuild our nation into a modern progressive, yet, Sri Lankan nation State.
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President
