COUNTRY PROFILE: Sri Lanka

COUNTRY PROFILE: Sri Lanka

President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

"It is now time for us all to put the war behind us"

It is with great pleasure that I extend my warm greetings to all Sri Lankans both here and overseas on this our 55th National Day. My fervent wish for you today is peace, joy and prosperity.

The National Day provides an occasion to pay respectful homage to those who worked and sacrificed much to gain Independence from our colonial rulers and to reflect on our achievement and failures since 1948. It is a time to assess how much of the dreams of our freedom fighters have been realized after these 55 years.

I recall saying in my address on the 50th Anniversary of Independence, "We have failed in the essential task of nation- building. We have meandered and faltered along the path, whilst our neighbors in Asia and many other countries have forged strong and united nations in which peoples of various communities, of race, religion and language, life in harmony".

We Sri Lankans, who lay claim to a noble heritage of over two thousand five hundred years, have felled to build on our strengths and evolve into a modern, independent and pluralistic nation. The failure to address this issue during the past years has metamorphosed existing conflicts into a violent armed conflict. We have been subjected to many foreign invasions and conquests, but the armed conflict we have faced for the past two decades is the most brutal and destructive this generation has experienced.

and look to a future where we would recognize and respect the rights and aspirations of every individual and of all our communications.

The government of Sri Lankas have tried for many years to reach a negotiated settlement to end the armed conflict. The current peace effort is the sixth one, since the armed conflict began.

If we are to achieve success this time, it is essential that the root causes of terrorism are addressed and solutions found.

These solutions must have the acceptance of all our peoples and the rights of all Sri Lankans must be protected. The solution must be sought within a democratic framework, enshrining the indivisibility of the State and the sovereignty of the people. We need a strong guarantee from all sections engaged in the peace talks that they will discuss the core Issues without delay. Although the Government has fulfilled its promises related to the peace process, the other party has not cooperated fully on this Issue.

Despite the ongoing peace negotiations between the Government and the LTTE, there are disturbing reports of continuing recruitment of children by the LTTE and other human rights violations. I wish to make a special appeal to the LTTE; please do not recruit children for armed conflict. Children are the most precious treasure of any community, any country; indeed of the world.

The heritage and culture of a community of people can be carried forward only if their children lead a normal childhood, in freedom. Every opportunity must be theirs, for blossoming forth unhindered, with all their fundamental rights guaranteed and with adequate education. Then they will grow up to be responsible adults, capable of leading fruitful fives.

Fifty five years ago, when we shed our colonial shackles and took over responsibility for our future as a nation, those who struggled gallantly for this freedom had visions of a peaceful country, with a prosperous economy and a happy and enlightened people. We must achieve that dream.

Let us today rekindle that vision for Sri Lanka.