PARLIAMENT

Today, as Sri Lanka proudly celebrates its 74th independence, we as a nation face a number of challenges in the amidst of many global crises. It is my opinion that it should be second, only to the challenge of independence that we faced and won in 1948 as one country and one nation.

The independence we have gained from Great Britain in 1948 is a result of the immense efforts of many people over the years, regardless of race, religion or caste. They belonged to different races; Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers who fought for the country in unity and solidarity. Today we celebrate Independence with great enthusiasm because they shed their blood, tears and sacrificed their lives to save the motherland. Therefore, first and foremost, I cordially invite all of you to pay your respects to heal the souls of those brave men who have sacrificed their lives to save the country.

The diversity of our country is not limited to the national flag hoisted at the top of every home today. The sweetest patriotic songs in our country were written by Ven. S. Mahinda Thero, a Tibetan who was not a citizen of this country by birth. Our instructional poetry books, Lokopakara and Subhashitha, are inspired by Tamil instructive poetry books such as Thirukkural, Mudurai and Nalvali. Also, the Sinhala-Tamil vocabulary has been mutually nourished in both languages. Moreover, history tells that from the past our Muslim brothers and sisters have risked their lives to save the country and the king. Fascinated by the nature of the country, some of them settled in Sri Lanka due to the cordiality of the local rulers at that time. They maintained cultural and commercial ties with Baghdad and other Islamic cities on behalf of Sri Lanka. In addition, during the Sinhala-Tamil New Year, there will be Portuguese, Dutch as well as European symbols on every home-cooked food and confectionery. We value that diversity, and only a free-spirited humanist can enjoy its beauty.

While the world is once again engulfed in fear of disease, the only way for us to overcome it is through unity, appreciating each other's diversity. There is no possibility of overcoming this catastrophe through isolated efforts. As citizens of Sri Lanka, we have a great responsibility to cultivate such freedom on this mother land. As adults, we are the mentors who must teach the youth and children the right way.

Let us embark on a new journey from today to fulfill our duties and responsibilities together for the country by developing good morals!

“නිදහස මහ මුහුදක් වේ
එහි උල්පත පුත නුඹ වේ
ඒ බව සිහිකොට මෙලොවේ
යුතුකම ඉටු කළ යුතු වේ!”

With that good determination remembered by Ven. S. Mahinda Thero, I wish you all a Happy Independence Day to win the future!

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena,
Speaker
Parliament of Sri Lanka