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.