I am pleased to write a message regarding the 67th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It should be deeply emphasized that the duty of protecting the pride which was maintained for 67 years as a sovereign state is bestowed on each and every citizen of the country with a Sri Lankan identity. When reconsidering the past 67 years, it can be observed that we have failed to build a common Sri Lankan nationalism, because of the narrow careers which were divided on races, religions, castes-classes, and political parties.

Although a big cry on sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity could be heard in independence celebrations in each year, we should question ourselves whether we have interpreted those words correctly and performed our duty for the uplift and the sustainable development of the nation.

Their true meaning should not be trivialized further. If everyone understands that what should be built-up is the pride of the nation, then we should live in the present, instead of the past, in a spiritual and an intellectual environment forecasting the future.

Therein, as the freedom we feel leads us to a complete humanity, we should untie despite the divisions with a developing attitude on the country, nation, and the religion under the lion flag.

Therefore I bless everyone to uplift the pride within the Sri Lankan identity in an arousing country, totally discarding extremism, fundamentalism, racism, and terrorism.