Time to work for a better Sri Lanka: PM

Thursday, 4 February 2016 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Independence Day is an opportunity for Sri Lankans to understand the challenges of reconciliation and economic development before the nation and work to resolve them, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Releasing his Independence Day message Wickremesinghe opined the election victories of 2015 have ensured the world recognises Sri Lanka as a country that has been restored to democracy.

The full text of the statement is given below.

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 8 January, 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 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.