Sri Lanka can evolve into a model state of equality and freedom: President

• We celebrate Independence Day looking forward to the future rather than merely reflecting on the past   

By Ajith Siriwardana   

Sri Lanka can evolve into a model state of equality and freedom, one that epitomizes the richest national spirit in the world through concerted efforts although Sri Lanka may not emerge as the wealthiest nation globally, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.  Addressing the 77th Independence Day celebrations, he said Sri Lanka celebrates Independence Day looking forward to the future rather than merely reflecting on the past.  “Today, we celebrate Independence Day, at a juncture when people from the northern, southern, eastern, and central regions of our country collectively dream of a future defined by a prosperous Sri Lankan State, a modern Sri Lankan nation,” he said.   

“We hereby pay our homage to all of them in this moment. Today, as the democratically elected President of this state, I stand before our proud national flag in Independence Square, not only as your leader but as a brother who has borne the historical burden emblematic of our future freedom. I am confident that you stand with me in this moment, sharing in the weight of this burden,” he added.   

He said all Sri Lankans must embark upon a journey towards economic liberation and socio-cultural emancipation, in short, towards the freedom essential for us to live with pride as contemporary citizens of this nation.   “Not only must we overcome the ethnic, religious, and caste divisions that have long fragmented and subjugated us as subjects, but we must also eradicate the entrenched prejudices that exist between political representatives and the populace, between institutional leaders and their staff, between passengers and public transportation operators, between government employees and the citizens they serve, between educators and students, and so forth.   
The President said people must recognize that in their quest to attain comprehensive economic, social, and cultural freedom, everyone is a warrior on the same battlefield.   

“To secure our economic freedom, rather than succumbing to weakness in the global economic system and being overwhelmed by its every fluctuation, we must unite in our efforts for this motherland. In our pursuit of economic liberation, we must remain steadfast, never relegating our social and cultural freedom to a subordinate position,” he said.