Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday, 27 January 2026 03:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser MP Namal Rajapaksa highlighted the importance of responsible leadership, regional cooperation, and youth-led change while addressing India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations held at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Speaking to students and academics, Rajapaksa said leadership extended beyond formal authority. “Leadership is not a position. It is a responsibility. It is a process of influencing others to achieve shared goals,” he said.
He commended the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences for their role in shaping socially conscious young leaders across multiple disciplines, including technology, innovation, and sports. Rajapaksa referred to the institutions’ performance at the Khelo India University Games and the World University Games as reflecting a broad-based approach to education.
Rajapaksa expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for India’s support during periods of crisis, including assistance extended during Sri Lanka’s economic difficulties in 2022 and in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. He thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for their continued support.
Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, he said solidarity within South Asia was a practical necessity rather than a slogan, particularly in addressing shared challenges and rebuilding resilient societies. Referring to Odisha’s international recognition for disaster preparedness, he noted the State’s progress in early warning systems, evacuation planning, and community engagement, adding that Sri Lanka could draw lessons as climate-related risks intensify.
Reflecting on Odisha’s contribution to India’s national life, Rajapaksa cited figures such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, former President V.V. Giri, and President Droupadi Murmu, describing the State as an example of how cultural identity and modern development can coexist.
He also referred to the historical significance of India’s Republic Day, recalling the declaration of Poorna Swaraj in 1930 and the adoption of the Constitution in 1950, which he said placed justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity at the centre of governance.
Highlighting longstanding cultural links between India and Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa pointed to shared historical narratives and common interests such as cricket, which continue to shape people-to-people ties.
Addressing regional geopolitics, he said the Indian Ocean region was becoming increasingly important amid shifting global power dynamics. He cautioned against strategies based on dominance or dependency, calling instead for cooperation grounded in shared responsibility and mutual benefit.
Concluding his address, Rajapaksa urged young people in Odisha, Sri Lanka, and the wider region to anchor leadership in competence, character, and courage, warning that slogans without delivery and power without ethics would undermine future progress.
