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.