On this day, as we celebrate the 66th anniversary of our independence, we restate our commitment to safeguard the freedom and rights of our people, and decide on our future free of dictates from the re-emerging forces of colonialism.
With our freedom strengthened by the defeat of separatist terrorism, we proceed on our journey toward progress.
This requires new social, political and economic strategies that include modern infrastructure such as ports, airports, highways, power and energy and the latest trends in industry, commerce and trade, and education. While most of this is already in place, in the new drive for development, much more remains to be achieved offering exciting challenges ahead.
It is our belief that the strength of our freedom largely depends on developing indigenous skills and knowledge, to restore the glories of our past and move ahead to the victories of the future.
As we celebrate our freedom today, we should remember with the deep gratitude the members of our security forces who courageously stepped forward to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity when they were under grave threat.
We shall always honor and pay tribute to the great sacrifices they made to ensure that we live in freedom and unity.
Our policy of nonalignment, with a commitment to justice and humanity, has brought us friends in the global community who understand our trials in recent decades, and are ready to help us go forward in freedom with the assurance of support in international fora.
I share your dream to strengthen the Sri Lankan nation under a single flag in a united country. Achieving this requires hard work, with diligence and honesty of purpose.
It calls for patriotism that transcends the barriers of geography and community, with reconciliation in a rich unity of purpose.
This will lay the foundation for the success of our children and future generations who will inherit this land, to live in peace and harmony bringing the glories of new achievements that inspire us from our past.
Let us together pledge to build this future for our land and people in the peace and freedom we have won.
— President Mahinda Rajapaksa
