Independence - a precious human possession

by Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

“For what avail the plough or sail or land or life, if freedom fail?”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some of the most glorious things of life defy deft definition. Freedom - Independence are among those precious human possessions, that thwart our best efforts to describe adequately.

What one savant said is quite apt in this context. These were his words of wisdom: “the splendour and the glow of summer, are best appreciated, when we begin to shiver in winter’s relentless cold. So, is the blessing of Independence.

It is only when we are bereft of it, that we begin to yearn for it soulfully.”

The quintessence of this elusive concept, has been dexterously captured by Indian writer Mulk Raj Anand, in one of his short stories: A little child goes into a Carnival Ground, clinging to his mother’s hand.

The child sees a balloon seller.
”I want a balloon”, says the child. Mother pulls the child away, disregarding his plea.
Next, it is a sweetmeat – stall.
‘I want those sweets’, says the child.
Mother doesn’t listen to him.

Eventually they pass toy shops, dress displays, and various vendors who sell items attractive to the child. Mother pulls him along in spite of the child’s pleas.

Milling crowd

In the milling crowd, the child misses the mother’s hand and is stranded. He begins to scream. The organisers rush to him and try to comfort him.

"Do you need balloons?” They ask the child.
"No I don’t want balloons. I need my mother.”

The organisers offer him all the things the mother denied him – sweets, toys, dresses. But, the child is not comforted. He needs his mother.

Thus it is, with Independence. We may receive whatever we yearn for.

But, bereft of the comforting presence of the spirit of Independence, all those precious things do not have a sustaining meaning.

Loss of Independence

As a nation, we deeply experienced the anguish of the loss of Independence, way back in 1815. On March 2, 1815, a group of Chieftains handed over our Independence to the British Empire, through the instrumentality of the Kandyan Convention. We were not vanquished in war. But, those men who negotiated at the time with the British, felt that this was but a temporary arrangement and that our age-old monarchy would be eventually restored. It was never to be.

The people were devastated. When they awoke fully to the unprecedented national loss, they realised with torturing pangs, that their long–cherished Independence was gone.

We are the only nation in the world with an uninterrupted written history, spanning more than 24 centuries. As chronicled in Mahawamsa and Culawamsa, 186 monarchs reigned in our royal line. From Vijaya the first monarch to Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, the last king of the land.

Unified effort

From 1815 on, in an admirably unified effort all sections of the nation came together to wage a peaceful campaign to regain our lost Independence in one fell-swoop.

This unswerving national determination culminated in Sri Lanka regaining its Independence on February 4, 1948, after 133 years of soul-searing loss of Independence.

Just 64 years ago, once again we achieved the stature of Free and Independent Nationhood.

But, harrowing misfortune continued to stall us for more than thirty – years, during our 64-year-long period of Independence.

The world’s most horrendous terrorism, burst upon us, when we were getting ready to enjoy the fruits of newly-won Independence, in a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Terrorists

The heartless terrorists, blew all our beautiful dreams into smithereens. There was no place, no nook, no corner, in Sri Lankan life that was not touched by the guilt–smeared, blood–soaked hands of the inhuman terrorists. Nothing was sacred to them. Temples, Monasteries, Kovils, Mosques and innocent religious devotees, were all a prey to those diabolical terrorists.

Profound angst pervaded the life of this gentle land. Husbands and wives left home, awaited with deep anxiety, the safe return of their spouses. Trepidation gripped the hearts of parents, and guardians when their children were at school.

Sudden death lurked everywhere. Buses and trains, public and private vehicles were all venues for bursting bombs - or targets for suicide bombers.

Innocent Bhikkhus on their compassionate way to rituals, became victims of horrendous mass assassinations. World–reputed sites of sacred worship were targeted upon brutally. Men and women of prominence, Prime Ministers, Ministers, leaders of society and Armed Forces were relentlessly massacred.

No respite

There was no respite to these cruel Islandwide waves of horror - attacks.

As for the people, each breath was a sigh of pain. Sleep was a nightmare. In some regions, the forest was the night-shelter for families. The demented forces of terrorism, did not spare, men, women or children - or even pregnant mothers. Freedom and Independence were tarnished and taunted.

In this darkest hour of Sri Lanka’s long sweep of history, hope had dimmed to the last flicker.

Who will save this land? Who will stem this bloody wave of human destruction? Who will restore the meaning of freedom of Independence and of unhindered living.

Then came, President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He prioritised the inescapable target – the total and comprehensive eradication of life–engulfing terrorism.

"I am fully determined, and totally committed to the relentless eradication of terrorism” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa. And, so was it done - by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

In an unprecedented display of mercy and compassion, those innocents who fled the dreaded terrorism, escaping its heartless leaders, were received with cordiality by the security forces and the Police. Where else could such humanity prevail? Ruthless terrorism, was fully swept away.

Again, people of our gentle and compassionate land can breathe freely. Their sighs are no longer those of deep-rooted sorrow. Now, those sighs are sighs of relief, freedom and Independence.From the time President Rajapaksa, worshipped mother Sri Lanka on his return to the island at the end of terrorism, Independence has taken on a new and wholesome significance.

After February 1948, We celebrate Independence in an entirely new spirit of freshly won liberty-freedom and Independence.

Given this background, we celebrate Independence. This signifies a fresh national responsibility.

The sighs of the days of terrorism should now change into sighs that proclaim we are truly Independent.

In this atmosphere of new Independence, we can commit ourselves to transform the terror-torn Sri Lanka into a land of new prosperity and peace - into the miracle of Asia.

Our ancient kings - especially Parakramabahu the Sixth of Kotte ushered in an unprecedented era of culture, art and religion, by enabling them to flourish in an environment of vast peace. Ven. Sri Rahula symbolised this age.

Today, let us begin to commit ourselves to assist the President to transform this land into a realm where the fruits of peace - art, culture, and literature. will flourish in overwhelming abundance.

From today we will be in an era of Independence.