Independence Day messages | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Independence Day messages

4 February, 2018

Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabhidhana Mahanayake Thero, Malwatte Chapter:

“Sri Lanka lost its independence when it became a British Colony in 1815 following the Kandyan Convention. It is time for us today to reexamine whether we have been able to make the hard-won national independence more meaningful. It is regrettable that most of our contemporaries who won independence from their colonial masters have reached the zenith of progress, white we are lagging behind them.

“We should be resolute in our attempts to cast aside all narrow differences of religion, race, culture and politics and reap the benefits of national prosperity. May the country progress with the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem and the Sacred Tooth Relic.”


Most Ven. Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Mahanayake Thera, Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya:

“Today we are celebrating the 70th independence Day. It is time for us, the government as well as the people to charter the future course for development, above all resolving the economic problems, while casting aside all religions and racial differences”.

“We need to protect our children, the future of the country consolidate peace, prosperity and moral rectitude. We should be resolute on this 70th anniversary of independence to prevent moral decay in the national interest and consolidate our gains”


Most Ven. Napana Pemasiri Maha Nayake Thero, Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya:

“We are fortunate to mark the 70th Independence Day to coincide with the commissioning of Moragahakanda Kalu/Ganga massive development project spearheaded by President Maithripala Sirisena.

“The National Leaders who dedicated themselves to country’s development will live forever in the minds of the grateful people. The dream of a prosperous Sri Lanka could easily be realized if all national leaders discharge their responsibilities with wisdom and foresight.

“May the Noble Triple Gem protect the President and the Government and the territorial integrity of the country protected by our forefathers remain unaffected.”


His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo:

“Today we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of our national independence. When we look back as to how our ancestors and politicians of the early periods fought for national independence with tooth and nail, today we see corruption, theft and fraud eating into the national fabric like a cancer.

Despite legislative reforms, or economic policy restructuring, the aspirations of the people do not seem to have been realized or targets achieved.

“The solution for the serious spiritual erosion is to be found in a national reawakening. Until we are determined to herald a spiritual revival, individually and collectively, the political freedom & economic development will be only a mere semblance.


Al Sheikh M.M. A Mubarak, General Secretary, All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama:

We have faced a series of challenges when we are marking the 70th anniversary of national independence today. We would emphasise that we need to live in peace and solidarity bestowed on us by the Yahapalana Government.

“In our multi-religious polity we should follow the teachings of our great religious leaders and endeavour to attain prosperity and progress. “We may unite as one country and one nation.


Swami Rupananda, President, Ramakrishna Mission:

“At this 70th anniversary of national independence, our thoughts go deep into the need for peaceful co-existence.

“It is incumbent on man himself to pave the path for universal peace and the initial step in this context is for us to empathise with the grief-stricken.

We pray for each man’s physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual development which will ensure universal prosperity.” 

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