Let's build mutual understanding among us

Let's build mutual understanding among us

Our first Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake was
successful, fifty five years ago, to make Sri Lanka a free and
independent country by establishing unity among all communities
and relieving the foreign domination to which our country was
subjected to. However, the leaders who ruled the country then and
now had to exert a great deal of effort to make the independence
so gained meaningful.

Disunity and differences, which developed from time to time,
affected the freedom of the country and the people to the extent
of an ethnic conflict in the north-east for a period of about two
decades. Violence was also prevalent in other parts of the
country.

At this stage when a peaceful environment is being formed
where all can live freely as one nation, ending the adverse
affects of war and violence and opening the doors of peace, we
have to usher in an era devoid of racial, cast, religious and
other differences if we are to enjoy the benefits of the
independence we gained.

Let us resolve on this noble day to make the peace effort a
success, which has been launched with the pure intention of
restoring peace and unity in the country and ushering in economic
social and cultural development.

Let us build up mutual understanding, unity and brotherhood
among us.

I have great pleasure in offering my warmest greetings and
best wishes to Sri Lankans living here and abroad.