Freedom won with enormous sacrifice

by Rev Sarath HETTIARACHCHI

In 1505 Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka. According to the history our country had been invaded by foreigners, such as Cholas on various occasions. In such instances kings of this country had waged war to save the motherland from such invaders. In the history of Sri Lanka's struggles for independence the role played by King Dutugamunu is unexampled.

In the course of a careful study of the struggles for independence it will be observed that the strategies used by him in the battlefield had been profound, well organised and justified. In the history of Sinhala Buddhists literature, references have been made to the Pujawaliya great warriors of king

Dutugamunu. According to Pujawaliya the physical strength of these warriors was such that they could root up coconut and palm trees like Thampala plants. It was King Dutugamunu who led them along the correct path. The King who unified the country improved the irrigation system to make the country self-sufficient in food and agriculture.

Thus, his subsequent war was to improve the agriculture. Portuguese were followed by the Dutch and the British. In 1815 consequent to the Kandyan convention the whole island came under the British rule. From then national leaders who adored the country started struggling for the sake of the nation's independence. There were two main streams of struggle. One section of the combatants agitated constitutional reforms. Others fought for full independence.

A significant feature in the struggle for independence is that leaders of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities provided their whole-hearted support to achieve the ends. F.R. Senanayake, D.S. Senanayake, Arumuga Navalar and Siddei Lebbe, are some of these national leaders. As a result of this wave of patriotism constitutional reforms were introduced repeatedly.

Recommendations

Accordingly Constitutional Reforms based on the recommendations of Colebrook Manning and Maclom were the outcome of the above agitations. The number of the official members in the State Council gradually increased.

Constitutional Reforms effected in 1931 on the recommendation of the Donoughmore Commission can be regarded as a landmark in the evolution of the Constitutional Reforms in Sri Lanka. Under these reforms Universal suffrage was introduced in Sri Lanka. Seven Secretaries were appointed for the implementation of relevant subjects entrusted to seven committees. Reforms under Soulbury Commission in 1947 was a further step forward in the Constitutional Development in Sri Lanka and on February 4th, 1948 Sri Lanka was granted Independence and patriotism developed in the country. Patriotism developed not only in Buddhist and Hindu Communities, but also among Christians.

As a result an indigenous policy was developed in the Christian Council. The Christians too agitated for nationalization.

Sri Lanka went still further and on May 22, 1972 Sri Lanka gained the Republican status and our Motherland was named "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Domestic policy followed the non-aligned path, economically a number of agricultural policies were introduced. Subsequently, all those developments were diverted to another angle consequent to the establishment of the Executive Presidency. This was a complex political policy. The method of election under this political policy is even more complex. A policy of an open economy was introduced. This led to globalisation which is close to personalisation. Consequently Sri Lankans faced a dark age of three decades. It was the age of barbarism and inhuman terrorism.

Death

Our own people in the villages were hacked to death inhumanly. Passenger transport buses and trains were bombarded.

There were occasions when the police and the armed forces were forced to retreat.

Terrorism was severe to that extent. Secret routes such as the route through Kilali Lagoon had to be used to go to the North. Even to use such routes permission of the LTTE Organisation had to be obtained. Yal Devi Express train could not be run as the rail road was completely destroyed. People in the North were not permitted to come to the South. Our own people including elders and children were forced to sacrifice their lives.

They lost all their properties including land and farm equipment. People working in their farms were massacred. All Sri Lankans were in misery. Offerings were performed in temples and churches seeking peace.

Ultimately we came to a stage where we were depressed to such a stage that some people were prepared to give into the LTTE and allow Eeelam for the sake of peace. Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities were perpetually suffering physically and mentally.

Heroes

However, Sri Lankans were dreaming for a golden age to come under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The war heroes including the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa were able to make this dream a reality.

A large number of young men lost their lives in the battlefield. In spite of hardships the war heroes fought until they could defeat the terrorists.

Now we can go the North freely and safely. Products in the North are transported to the South. Producers get a good price for their produces. People in the North and East have resumed their agricultural activities.

North as well as the South have lined up for giant development programs.

People can travel in buses and trains safely and work in offices freely and without interruption. Barriers at police stations and offices have been removed. Independence has now become a reality than in 1948. Now we live in Sri Lanka as a free and independent nation.

New imperialists or the world police level at us evil eyes and launch various conspiracies to hurt us.

In the words of the President there are no minority or majority citizens in this country. People can be categorised as those who love the country and those who hate it.

We should clearly identify those who love the country and those who stand on our way to peace and freedom. Let us fall into line in a bid to save our country from conspirators.

We should never allow any local or international force to deprive us of the freedom we have won with enormous sacrifice.

Attitude

Further, we should change our attitude in another way to enjoy the independence we have won for the second occasion.

We should make a certain amount of sacrifice for the sake of our country. We should never try to achieve only our personal objectives claiming and agitating for privileges regardless of our duties and responsibilities.

A national language policy is being prepared. Non Tamils should not satisfy themselves by learning only some Tamil terms and phrases.

Sinhala and Muslim communities should study the thinking and aspirations of Tamils, Similarly Tamil and Muslim Communities should study the thinking and aspirations of the Sinhala community. This is necessary to make our independence a reality.

Public servants should treat everyone who come to them as their relatives rather than being bureaucrats. The teacher in the classroom and the public servant in the office should change attitudes for the good and well-being of the country. Close relations between the Buddhist temple and other religious institution is a need felt today than in any time in the history.

The attempt to be distanced from the people by strengthening the security arrangements at places of worship is not the felt need today. If there is a breakdown in ethical and value systems it is the duty of the clergy to make good the situation.

Temples, churches and other religious places should make a joint effort to launch a new program to rebuild the ethical and value systems.

All these are facts to the effect that the people in our motherland need a spiritual and attitudinal change for harmonious existence. All those who love the country should keep in mind that the future of Sri Lanka which gained independence for the second occasion should be made prosperous for the sake of the future of the country and the future generation.