We commence our 57th year of Independence at a momentous
time in our history. No one would disagree that the occurrence of the morning
of 26th December a little over a month ago, was the most devastating experience
in our living memory. Nature's fury was upon us, the ferocious tidal waves felled
thousands of our fellowmen in a matter of minutes. The collective efforts of
our ancestors and a significant portion of our history were swept away and ravaged.
Together with the entire nation I bow my head in condolence
for all those who lost their lives and in sympathy with their loved ones.
The December 26th catastrophe was one we were not prepared
for. However as a nation we have taken control. I salute our people for their
resilience. I am proud to be a Sri Lankan and to call myself a citizen of this
small but great nation.
We were touched by the magnificent expression of solidarity
and generosity of the ordinary people in every country across the globe.
The Government for its part moved into action fast to set up
systems and networks to assist the affected. Three days after the disaster the
government set up a Special Task Force to assess the damage to infrastructure
and housing and to plan the strategies for rebuilding. In under a month the
reconstruction programme was made ready for implementation.
Perhaps for the first time since independence all political
parties are working together and effectively. I hope this is the dawn of a new
era of unity amongst all our peoples.
Let us unite at this direst moment of our nation's need. The
task before us is massive. We need to rebuild the lives of our peoples and our
infrastructure that took us decades to construct.
The mighty forces of nature taught us a lesson that we refused
to learn through several decades of independence. A nation that was home to
various communities of peoples, divided itself along ethnic, linguistic and
religious lines.
Let us unite with those who we consider our enemies as well
as with our friends in order that we rebuild our nation into a modern progressive,
yet, Sri Lankan nation State.
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
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