Independence Day Messages

Message by President Maithripala Sirisena

On this day, as we celebrate the 68th anniversary of our Independence, we are proud of the progress made towards safeguarding the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity of the nation and strengthening national reconciliation and economic and political rights of all our citizens.  

This occasion is of special significance because we commemorate the dawn of freedom at a time coinciding with the taking of clear and resolute steps to firmly establish democracy and good governance, the Rule of Law, and a truly meaningful parliamentary system; to establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance in keeping with the mandate given by the people one year ago. We are resolved to continue on this path to create a socio political environment for all citizens to live securely without fear.

After achieving these, we have commenced a new drive for development, of which much remains to be done. It is our belief that the strength of our freedom largely depends on developing indigenous skills and knowledge, while zealously guarding the rich cultural and social heritage of our past and move ahead to the victories of the future.

As we celebrate the gaining of Independence, today, we recognize our bounden duty to give all honour and respect to the members of the Security Forces who made great sacrifices to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity in the battle against terrorism.

Our foreign policy of the middle path, with a commitment to justice and humanity, has won us friends in the international community who are ready to help us in our march towards prosperity.

Message by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

It is a historic triumph for all of us to be able to celebrate the 68th Independence Day as a nation that prizes the values of democracy, bringing all its citizens together in a spirit of unity and strength.  
Just as everyone stood together to set the country free from the grip of colonialism back then, on January 8, Sri Lankans came together to set the nation free from the tyranny of dictatorship,

corruption, nepotism and familial rule; ensuring our return to the hallowed community of democratic nations that assure its people freedom and justice.

And now, the task before us is to ensure that the hard-won freedom retains its meaning and significance; it is a task that calls for all of us to be united, irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations. This indeed is the vision of the Government.

In the eyes of the world, Sri   Lanka has been restored to its position as a country that abides by the revered principles of democracy. 

Yet, before us is a formidable task of ensuring lasting peace and co-existence for all citizens while building on the concept of social economic development for the country. On this 68th Independence Day, let us strive to understand the challenges before us as a nation and determine to give of ourselves wholeheartedly to a noble vision of taking our country forward.

Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala, 

Mahanayake Thera of Malwathu Chapter

All citizens of Sri Lanka including national heroes such as Monarawila Keppetipola, Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala, Gongalegoda Banda, Puran Appu, Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda, Walisinha Harischandra, Anagarika Dharmapala, F.R. Senanayake, Sir D.B. Jayatilleke, D.S. Senanayake, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan and T.B. Jayah have struggled to unite by sacrificing their lives for gaining Independence to Sri Lanka, which was under the rule of English Empire since March 2, 1815.

However, after a short period of time with divisions based on ethnicity, religion and politics, the peace and harmony of the country was ruined that ended in resulting foreign interventions.

In such an environment, the opportunity to develop the sectors of national, political, economic, social, moral, cultural pride and coexistence, reconciliation, thoughts, languages and technologies were missed. In this context all rulers and Opposition should unite to achieve the true meaning of Independence by facing the challenges occurred in national security and economic development.
I kindly emphasize that we all should determine to use this golden opportunity to gain prosperity in the country irrespective of all national, religious and political divisions. 

Most Ven. Galagama Dhammasiddhi  Sri Dhammananda Aththadassi 

Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter 

It has been 68 years since our country gained the Independence from the English rulers. Within that period various governments have ruled the country and a considerable development has been made with some improvements in the national, religious and cultural aspects. All these are based on the freedom enjoyed by the public of the country.
I commemorate all ascetic heroes who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of the country’s Independence and taking them as exemplars. I wish everyone the strength and courage to commit on behalf of the future generation of our country.

Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri, Mahanayake Thera of Sri Lanka Ramagnna Maha Nikaya

It is our obligation to grant the assistance and blessings needed to the country’s future progress.

 On this Independence Day celebrations, I would like to forward my blessings to the President and his government to make the Sri   Lanka a prosperous nation with the participation of the public.

Most Ven. Davuldena Gnanissara, Mahanayake Thera of Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha

Sri   Lanka, which is our country has a written history going back beyond 2600 years. In that history, we find a unique culture. The main characteristic of that culture which is mostly highlighted is the equality. King Buddhadasa who ruled the country in around 338 AD, was a ruler that had conferred his kindness even to animals. 

In the recent history, our country was invaded by three foreign empires, and at the end, the whole country came under the British Throne in 1815. That was under an agreement. However, within a period of three years, our citizens had fought against those empires in 1818 until the full freedom is gained. 

In this day, we commemorate everyone who has gathered, despite their ethnicity and religion to gain the Independence, as national heroes.

His Eminence Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith 

- Archbishop of Colombo

I  would like to emphasize the importance of uniting for performing the  responsibility of building a truly independent atmosphere in the country  that all communities live in peace, unity, coexistence and blissfully in  this juncture of celebrating the 68th Independence of our Motherland.

It  is well-known that we could gain the independence defeating the British  colonialism due to the people’s efforts motivated by a single  objective. We failed to use that independence in a meaningful manner for  the development of our country as we have divided based on race and  political views. We could have been in a better place if we could rise  as a single Sri Lankan nation.

The priority need of this moment is  that all political and religious leaders to get united and work towards  the development of the country that protects rights of all  nationalities and believers, domestic culture and morals, and build upon  the equity, justice, equality, truth, and coexistence. 

Message from Ash-Sheikh M.M.A. Mubarak, General Secretary 

- All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama is pleased to release this message of blessings on the day of the 68th Independence Day of our beloved Motherland, Sri Lanka.
Our prayers and expectations are that all Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians in this multi-ethnic society should continue to achieve prosperity, development and progress by following the respective religious doctrine and developing the ethics of respecting other religions.
A country’s development solely depends on the unity and patriotism of its people. Therefore, it is the duty of every citizen to take initiatives in this opportunity to develop the practical approach to achieve unity and co-existence among communities and religions.

Swami Sarvarupananda of the Ramakrishna Mission

On the happy occasion of commemorating the 68th Independence, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all the brethren in the country, and also I pray to the Lord to shower his choicest blessings on the Hon. President, his ministerial staff and all the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Sri   Lanka, has a long and impressive history, with rich cultural tradition, and the great thinkers have plunged into life, into the heart of experience and given to the nation, visions of human excellence. Sri Lanka has the profound and powerful integrating forces in spirituality and cultural background.

The peaceful, and the smooth functioning of our civilian and of our social life, owes very much to the ever watchful and vigilant Government, who toil hard, willingly and happily, leaving aside the comforts of a cozy and comfortable life, so that people can carry on their economic, social, cultural and religious activities in a peaceful, prosperous and effective manner.

Rt. Revd Dhiloraj R. Canagasabey, Bishop of Colombo 

- Church of Ceylon

Although some positive  steps have been taken and some advances made, there is a sense of  widespread disappointment that the change that the people yearned and  voted for;

an end to nepotism and corrupt politics, honesty and  transparency in government, zero tolerance for corrupt deal making; a  small efficient government of right people in the right place has not  taken place yet, and more distressingly, does not appear likely to take  place soon. Democracy  is a social contract between the governed and the governing. There is,  therefore, a duty cast on the people of this country as well.