Minister of Foreign Affairs Lakshman Kadirgamar's message
Sri Lanka is one of the few modern states which has remained a distinct sovereign entity for nearly 2,000 years excluding the period of colonial domination which began in the early 16th century. During this long period of time Sri Lanka became the second home of Buddhism. It made a notable contribution to the culture and civilization of the ancient world in the realms of architecture, irrigation, literature and painting. During those bygone centuries Sri Lanka was also a flourishing emporium in the Indian Ocean with a wide network of international trading contacts. Throughout its history Sri Lanka has distinguished itself in the domain of foreign relations.
Like all developing countries Sri Lanka has had to face daunting challenges in the wake of independence. It has had to contend with the task of building a nation, of constructing an economy that would serve its own people and not the colonial regime. It has worked diligently to ensure the social upliftment of its people. It has addressed the problems of literacy, nutrition, education and social welfare and has achieved significant progress in these areas. Sri Lanka's commitment to the perpetuation of democratic values has been well known ever since universal adult franchise was conferred on the people of Sri Lanka in 1931. It has played a pivotal role in international affairs through important diplomatic initiatives such as the Non- Aligned Movement and the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
At long last Sri Lanka is at the threshold of dealing decisively with the ethnic problem which has bedeviled its history in the last 50 years. It can be expected that with the evolution of a lasting political settlement of this problem many difficulties that the country has faced in accelerating growth and development would be overcome, and Sri Lanka would be on the road to realizing its full economic potential.
As Sri Lanka endeavors to meet these challenges it is strengthened by the knowledge that it has the support, cooperation and goodwill of the entire international community which has stood by Sri Lanka in times of adversity, confident in the resilience of the Sri Lankan people to overcome their problems. I thank all our many friends in many countries for their understanding and their continued friendship.
On this historic occasion of the golden jubilee of Sri Lanka's independence I wish particularly to appeal to the Sri Lankan expatriate community belonging to all ethnic, religious and other denominations to set aside the prejudices of the past, to dispel the misunderstands that have divided our peoples and to join in earnest in the process of molding a united, peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.